Education, Health and Care Plans (EHC plans)
Education, Health and Care Plans (EHC plans) are key to securing the right support for your child or young person. This section provides tools and guidance to help you understand and review your EHC plan, navigate timelines, appeal decisions, and explore options like personal budgets. Whether you're just starting out or managing annual reviews, we’re here to help you feel informed and empowered every step of the way.
Need Help Navigating the EHC Process?
If you’re currently going through the Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA) or waiting for a decision about an EHC plan, our Touchpoint Guidance page walks you through every key stage. It includes practical advice, legal information, and downloadable resources to help you prepare for meetings, understand decisions, and feel confident at each step of the process.
EHC plan Process: Checklists to Guide You
Understanding the Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHC plan) process can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Below, you'll find two useful checklists to help you at each stage.
This checklist sets out what legally must be included as a minimum in any EHC plan issued by a local authority. A comprehensive resource to check your EHC plan against.
Our Easy Read EHC plan assessment explains the key stages from requesting an EHC plan through to the final plan, in a clear and accessible way.
Important Information About 1:1 Support in EHCPs
We know that many families are being told that 1:1 support is being removed from Education, Health and Care Plans and that this is “standard practice.” It is important to know that:
EHCPs Must Be Individual
Your child’s EHC plan should always be based on their individual needs, not a one-size-fits-all policy.
No Blanket Rules
Local authorities cannot apply a blanket rule to remove 1:1 support from all EHC plans. Any changes must be properly considered and explained, based on up-to-date evidence.
Provision Must Be Specific
The law requires that the support in an EHC plan (Section F) must be detailed, specific, and usually quantified—for example, specifying the number of hours or type of support.
Annual Review Process
If the local authority wants to change the support in your child’s EHC plan, they must do this through the annual review process, involving you and (where appropriate) your child or young person.
Your Rights
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You can request a review if you think your child’s needs are not being met.
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If the local authority changes the EHC plan and you disagree, you can appeal to the SEND Tribunal.
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Support from SENDIASS or IPSEA can help you navigate this process.
Helpful Resources
IPSEA: www.ipsea.org.uk
SEND Code of Practice (2015): Section 9.69 explains that provision must be specific and detailed
Case Law Examples:
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R (L) v Warwickshire CC [2015] EWHC 203 (Admin)
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N v North Tyneside BC [2010] EWCA Civ 135
