Securing an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) for Your Child
“By Sotiria Vlahodimou (BSc, MSc, PG Dip, PGCE, QTS, Level 5 SpLD, NASENCo, NPQH), Headteacher at Slindon College”
For many families, supporting a child with special educational needs is a journey that demands patience, persistence, and plenty of paperwork. One of the most important tools available in England is the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). This legally binding document sets out a child’s needs and the provision required to meet them across education, health and social care.
Below is a clear, parent-friendly guide to the EHCP process, what to expect at each stage, how your child’s current school can support you, and what specialist provision looks like in practice.
Sotiria Vlahodimou
What is an EHCP, and who is it for?
An EHCP is for children and young people aged 0 – 25 whose needs cannot be met through SEN Support alone. If your child is not making expected progress despite targeted interventions, differentiated teaching and reasonable adjustments, an EHCP may be the right next step.
Step 1: Recognise the need
Trust your instincts. Difficulties with literacy or numeracy, anxiety, communication, social interaction or transitions are all reasons to raise concerns. Speak to your child’s class teacher and the school’s SENCO, ask what support has been tried, and agree how progress will be monitored.
Step 2: Use SEN Support fully
Before requesting an EHCP, schools should follow a graduated approach:
• Assess: Identify needs and, where appropriate, involve specialists such as educational psychologists or speech and language therapists.
• Plan: Set targets and agree strategies and adjustments.
• Do: Implement support in class and through interventions.
• Review: Meet regularly (usually termly) to evaluate progress and adapt plans.
If progress remains limited after sustained cycles of support, it is reasonable to consider an EHC needs assessment.
Step 3: Request an EHC needs assessment
Parents or schools can apply directly to the local authority (LA); you do not need school permission. The request should include evidence from the Assess – Plan – Do – Review process, such as support plans, progress data, professional reports and intervention records.
If parents apply, the school will be asked to submit supporting evidence within 15 days. If the school applies, this should be done in discussion with you.
Step 4: The LA decision
Within six weeks, the LA decides whether to assess. If refused, you will receive reasons and information about mediation and appeal rights. If agreed, the process moves into a multi-agency assessment.
Step 5: Multi-agency assessment
Advice is gathered from relevant professionals, including education, health and social care, alongside parental and pupil views. This is your opportunity to share what works at home, what does not, and your child’s aspirations. Keep track of deadlines and follow up if reports are delayed.
Step 6: Drafting the plan
If an EHCP is agreed, a draft should be issued within 16 weeks of the original request. Sections B (needs) and F (provision) must be specific and quantified. You have 15 days to comment and name your preferred school. A SENCO can help check that the provision matches the evidence and professional advice.
How your child’s current school can help
Schools play a vital role by:
• Collating evidence such as assessment data, intervention logs and reports
• Trialling and recording classroom strategies and their impact
• Coordinating professional assessments and referrals
• Reviewing the draft EHCP to ensure provision is clear, enforceable and realistic
Spotlight on specialist provision: Slindon College
Slindon College in West Sussex demonstrates what high-quality learning support can look like. Small class sizes, typically no more than ten, allow for personalised teaching and rapid response to need. Learning Support is embedded across the school, with close collaboration between teachers, specialists, pastoral and boarding teams.
Provision includes 1:1 specialist literacy and numeracy teaching, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, social and emotional interventions, and specialist teachers including dyslexia specialists. The College holds CReSTeD accreditation as a Learning Support Centre, recognising high-quality provision for learners with dyslexia and associated difficulties.
For families navigating the EHCP process, this means robust evidence, deliverable provision and confidence that support named in Section F is embedded in daily practice.
Step 7: Finalising the EHCP
The LA must issue the final EHCP within 20 weeks of the original request. Once finalised, the named school is legally required to deliver the provision. Plans are reviewed annually, or sooner if needs change.
Final thought
Applying for an EHCP can feel daunting, but you are not alone. With clear evidence, collaboration with your child’s school and persistence, it is possible to secure a plan that genuinely meets your child’s needs and supports a happier, more successful school experience.