What is an EHCP?

Schools in England must provide support to children with special educational needs (SEN), and this is known as SEN support. Schools should provide this SEN support from within their existing budget. However, some children will require additional support beyond what is available as part of the standard offer to children, and these children may need an Education, Health and Care plan.

An Education, Health and Care plan (otherwise known as EHC plan or EHCP) is a legal document for children and young people in England up to the age of 25 who need more support than is available through special educational needs support. However, young people in higher education are not eligible for EHCPs.

It details a child or young person’s educational, health and social needs, the support they require, and the outcomes that they would like to achieve through this support.

The local authority must provide the support described in the EHCP.

An EHC plan is issued after a child or young person has undergone an Education, Health and Care needs assessment. The whole process from request to having a final plan should be no longer than 20 weeks.