A Comprehensive Guide to Education, Health and Care Plans
This guide aims to broaden your knowledge of Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). It provides information on what an Education Health and Care Plan is, how to apply, what an Education, Health Needs Assessment is, and the Education, Health and Care Plan annual review process.
An introduction to Education, Health and Care Plans
What is an EHCP?
EHCP stands for Education, Health and Care Plan. It is a legal document that is personalised to a child or young person aged 0 to 25 with Special Educational Needs and, or Disabilities (SEND). EHCPs play a critical role in ensuring that young people have their Educational needs met and receive tailored assistance across the education, health, and social care sectors.
Why is an Education, Health and Care Plan important?
An EHCP is important because it provides a clear outline of:
- A young person’s hopes, dreams, ambitions, and history.
- A young person identified with special educational needs.
- Outcomes to monitor progress supported by the EHCP.
- For post-16, moving into adulthood and support for transition.
- The provisions to achieve the desired outcomes across education, health, and social care for the young person.
An EHCP also ensures that the specified special educational provision is delivered by the relevant local authority.
Furthermore, an EHCP provides the young person with extra educational support. This enables the local authority to select the most suitable environment for the individuals development and well-being. Local authorities then use the information from the EHCP to:
- Establish the views, interests, and aspirations of the parents and child or young person.
- Provide a full description of the young person’s special educational needs and any health and social care needs.
- Establish outcomes across education, health, and social care based on the young person’s needs and aspirations.
- Specify the provision required and how education, health, and care services will work together to meet the young person’s needs and support the achievement of the agreed outcomes.
How to apply for an EHCP
What is an EHC Needs Assessment (EHCNA)?
Identifying the young person’s educational needs is the first step. Children and young people with SEND are not automatically entitled to an EHCP, an EHCP is created through an EHCNA request. Families, schools, and other professionals would work together to discuss the provision in place for a young person, review what is working, what else might be appropriate, and to consider together whether an EHCNA might be appropriate. This may generate an assessment to help identify and clarify the young person’s special educational needs.
How do I apply for an EHC Needs Assessment?
An Educational Needs Assessment (EHCNA) can be requested by various individuals and organisations including:
- the young person’s parent(s) or carer(s)
- a young person aged over 16 but under 25
- or a person acting on behalf of a school or post-16 institution
- anyone who knows a child or young person with, (or possibly with), special educational needs (SEN) can inform the local authority. This could include foster carers, health and social care professionals, early years practitioners, youth offending teams, or probation services.
Schools may hold the most detailed records of a young person’s needs, as well as the support and provision already in place. As a result, most EHCNA requests are submitted by schools. However, any of the above-mentioned individuals or groups can make an initial request through the EHC Portal on the Suffolk County Council website. Education Health and Social Care Plans Regardless of who initiates the request, the local authority will seek advice from all relevant parties to ensure a thorough understanding of the individuals needs.
What are the possible outcomes of an EHC Needs assessment?
An EHC needs assessment does not always result in an EHC plan. Instead, the information gathered during the assessment may highlight ways in which the young person’s needs can be met by their school, college, or other provider without the need for an EHC plan.
The EHCP Annual Review
How does an EHCP annual review work?
An EHCP annual review meeting provides the opportunity to reflect on progress and development. It is collaboration between family, young person and professionals, etc. The meeting facilitates planning and transition at key points throughout a young person’s life. They focus on progress towards achieving EHCP outcomes and the effectiveness of the provisions listed in the EHCP.
Who will attend the EHCP annual review meeting?
The following people will be invited to attend the young person’s EHCP annual review and will be asked to provide a report.
- Learner (Young person)
- Parent(s)/Carer(s)
- Provider of the relevant education
- Health care professional
- Local Authority officer (Education/SEND)
- Local Authority officer (Social Care)
Preparation for your EHCP Annual Review
Tutor Review
The process for gathering relevant reports starts 6-8 weeks prior to the scheduled review meeting. The young persons designated Tutor will provide a report. The report will be shared with everyone who will attend the EHCP annual review. The tutor report is comprised of a list of questions aimed at understanding how the current plan has been working for the learner. They will be asked to advise on each outcome, what’s working well and if there are any improvements required and complete the scale for each outcome.
Once the Tutor Review has been written, around 2 weeks before the EHCP annual review takes place, it will be sent to everyone involved.
Other Forms
The following forms are also sent to be completed 6-8 weeks before the meeting and will be circulated along with the tutor report.
- Family View Form
- Young Person View Form
- One Page Profile
- Preparing for Adulthood Form
These forms can also be completed in the Education setting with the young person.
The EHCP Annual Review Decision
Within two weeks of the annual review, the report will be written and sent to the local authority.
Family Services reviews the Annual Review report and supporting documents and will make a decision.
- Maintain EHCP – This means that there will be no changes to your current EHCP.
- Amend EHCP – Family Services has 8 weeks from notifying the family of the decision to make changes to issue a final EHCP.
- Cease EHCP – The Local Authority will explain the reasons for the decision to end the EHCP. Please note: The family has the right to appeal against the decision.
We hope this guide provides you with a comprehensive overview of Educational Health and Care Plans. If you are based in Suffolk, find out more by visiting https://www.suffolklocaloffer.org.uk/education/education-health-and-care-needs-assessments-and-plans This guide is up to date as of 27.01.2025.
