What is an EHCP? Meaning, purpose and how the plan works

EHCP stands for Education, Health and Care plan. It is a legal document for a child or young person in England who needs more special educational support than is normally available through SEN Support.

The plan describes the person's needs, the outcomes being worked towards and the provision that must be made. It can also name the school, college or other institution they should attend.

This is general information, not legal advice.

Who can have an EHCP?

An EHC plan can cover a child or young person from birth to age 25, but it does not automatically last until 25.

The process begins with an EHC needs assessment. The local authority must assess where the child or young person has or may have special educational needs and it may be necessary for provision to be made through an EHC plan.

A diagnosis is not required. The legal test concerns needs and provision, not a named medical condition.

Most pupils with SEN do not have an EHCP. Schools should support them through the graduated approach known as Assess, Plan, Do, Review. An EHCP is considered when that ordinary SEN Support may not be enough.

What does the plan contain?

The SEND Regulations set out sections A to K. In summary, they cover:

• the child or young person's views and aspirations
• special educational needs
• health and social-care needs related to SEND
• intended outcomes
• special educational provision
• health and social-care provision
• the named placement
• a personal budget, where relevant
• the advice gathered during assessment

Our sections A to K guide explains each part.

Why is Section F important?

Section F specifies the special educational provision required. The local authority has a duty under section 42 of the Children and Families Act 2014 to secure that provision.

Wording matters. "Access to support when needed" does not tell a family or provider how much support must happen. A clearer plan says what will be delivered, how often, for how long, by whom and in what setting where those details are needed.

Read what should be in Section F before commenting on a draft.

Is an EHCP legally binding?

The plan creates legal duties. The local authority must secure the special educational provision in Section F. A named maintained school, academy, further-education institution, non-maintained special school or approved independent specialist setting has a duty to admit under section 43.

That does not mean every sentence has the same legal effect. Section F provision is enforceable against the local authority. Health provision in Section G and social-care content use different duties and routes.

What an EHCP does not guarantee

An EHCP does not automatically provide:

• full-time one-to-one support
• a particular funding amount
• a special-school place
• a medical diagnosis
• a plan until age 25

The plan should specify the individual provision required. Funding and delivery arrangements must follow that provision rather than replace it with a vague band or budget label.

How is an EHCP different from SEN Support?

SEN Support is arranged by the school through the graduated approach. It should include assessment, agreed support, review dates and parent involvement.

An EHCP is issued and maintained by the local authority after a statutory assessment. It can secure provision across education, health and social care and carries rights of appeal about specified decisions and plan content.

A child does not need to complete a fixed number of SEN Support cycles before an assessment can be requested. Evidence of support and progress is useful, but a local policy cannot replace the legal assessment test.

How long does the process take?

The statutory process has three main milestones:

• six weeks for the decision whether to assess
• 16 weeks for notification if no plan will be issued
• 20 weeks for the final plan, subject to narrow exceptions

The family receives at least 15 days to comment on a draft plan. Read the full EHCP timeline for the separate deadlines.

What happens after a plan is issued?

The plan must be reviewed at least every 12 months. The review looks at progress, current needs, outcomes and whether provision or placement should change.

Keep evidence of what was delivered and what changed. A plan that is accurate on paper still needs a delivery record.

If you are ready to request an assessment, continue with how to get an EHCP. Unisen's family workspace helps you review a draft plan section by section and prepare structured comments.

Explore the family workflow.