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Receiving the Draft EHCP

What's happening at this stage?

You’ve now received a draft Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) from the Local Authority. This means the LA has agreed that your child needs a legal plan to support their special educational needs (SEN). You may have attended a Touch Point meeting to co-produce the plan.  You now have a key role to play in shaping the EHCP plan before it becomes final. 

You Have 15 Days to Respond

Under the Children and Families Act 2014, you have 15 calendar days from the date the draft plan is issued to:

 

  • Suggest any changes or corrections to the EHCP 

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  • Name your preferred school or setting 

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You can ask for an extension if needed, but it's important to act quickly and carefully — this is your chance to make sure the plan reflects your child’s needs accurately, specifically and lawfully. 

Download: EHCP Review Checklist- What to Check and Why.

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Understanding the Draft Plan

The EHCP should be written clearly, legally, and in line with the SEND Code of Practice (2015). The most important parts for you to check are: 

 

Section B – Your Child’s Special Educational Needs 

This must include all of your child’s needs, across education, communication, physical, emotional, and sensory areas. 

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If it’s not listed here, it won’t be supported in Section F. 

 

Section F – The Special Educational Provision 

This section must: 

Be detailed, specific, and quantified 

Match each of the needs in Section B 

Include things like hours of support, type of intervention, frequency, and any specialist input 

Words like “access to” or “regular help” are not specific enough. 

 

Watch: Understanding and Reviewing a Draft EHCP – Becki Explains 

Naming a School or Setting

You have the right to request that a particular school or college is named in the final EHCP. This could be: 

  • A mainstream school 

  • A special school 

  • A post-16 institution 

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The Local Authority must agree to your preference unless: 

  • It would be unsuitable for your child’s needs, or 

  • It would affect the education of others or be an inefficient use of public funds

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Download: Choosing a School – Questions to Ask and What to Consider 

Download: Choosing a School - Quick Checklist (EHCP)

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Where SENDIASS Can Help

We can support you to: 

  • Understand what’s in the draft and what might be missing 

  • Suggest lawful, specific wording for Section F 

  • Make sure all of your child’s needs are properly recorded 

  • Request the right school or college 

  • Write your response to the LA 

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Book a free plan review appointment with SENDIASS 

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