EHCP

Also called Education, Health and Care Plan, EHC Plan, Statement

A legal document setting out a child's needs and the provision the council must secure. The only enforceable form of school support.

What it is

An Education, Health and Care Plan is a document issued by a local authority for a child or young person whose needs cannot reasonably be met from the resources normally available.

It replaced Statements of SEN in 2014. Its distinguishing feature is that it is legally enforceable: the council has an absolute duty to secure the special educational provision in Section F, and "we have no budget" is not a defence.

Where it applies

Children and young people from 0 to 25, where the council decides that an assessment is needed and that provision beyond SEN support is required.

An EHCP can continue into further education and training up to 25, but it does not automatically last to 25 — it lasts as long as the young person still needs it and is still in education or training.

How it works

The plan has lettered sections. B is the child's special educational needs; F is the special educational provision to meet them; I names the school or type of school. C and G are health needs and provision, D and H social care.

The enforceable heart of it is B, F and I. Section F must be specific and quantified — "speech and language therapy" is not provision, "45 minutes of direct therapy from a qualified SALT every fortnight" is.

It must be reviewed at least annually — see annual review.

What you can ask for

Ask for everything in Section F to be specific and quantified, by who, how often and for how long. This is the single most important thing about a plan and the most commonly conceded on appeal.

Ask for a named school in Section I, not a type of school. An unnamed placement is not a placement.

You have the right to ask for a particular school, including a special school, and the council must name it unless one of three narrow statutory reasons applies.

Where to get help

IPSEA's free advice line and their model letters are the best national resource, and their EHCP checklist is written for exactly this. SENDIASS locally. If you disagree with B, F or I, you can appeal to the SEND Tribunal.