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.
Understanding Your Options: Requesting an EHC Needs Assessment
If you’re concerned that your child may have Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND), it’s natural to feel unsure about what to do next. In Shropshire, there are two main ways to request an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA):
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Through your child’s school or educational setting
Schools are expected to follow a graduated approach: this means identifying needs, putting support in place, and reviewing progress. If your child is still struggling despite this, the school may be able to submit an EHCNA request on your behalf, with supporting evidence. -
By making a parental request directly to the Local Authority
You have the legal right to request an EHCNA yourself. This can be helpful if you feel your child’s needs aren’t being fully recognised or supported, or if you’re not currently working with a school.
Why We Created This Guide
At Shropshire SENDIASS, we understand that completing the parental request paperwork can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve created this guide, to walk you through the process step by step.
We’ve used the official Shropshire EHCNA paperwork and added tips, prompts, and examples in purple to help you complete each section confidently. Whether you’re just starting to explore your child’s needs or ready to submit a request, this guide is here to support you.
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.
