Fiducia TogetherMoving to a new area
Getting a school place after a house move, and what carries over.
Please note: This page explains a word or a process in education. It is general information about the system, the law and the guidance in England — not advice about your child, your school or your exam. If a decision is going against you, get advice from one of the free services we link to before you agree to anything or miss a deadline. If you are revising, check your own exam board's specification: boards word things differently and yours is the one that marks you.
What it is
Moving council area means applying for a school place through the new authority, and having any EHCP transferred.
Where it applies
Families relocating.
How it works
An EHCP transfers with the child. The new council must review it within a defined period and must maintain it in the meantime — it does not lapse and does not need to be applied for again.\n\nSchool places are an in-year admission with the usual right of appeal.
What you can ask for
Tell both councils as early as you can, and ask the new one to confirm it has received the plan.
Ask for provision to continue during the transfer. A gap is not lawful simply because the paperwork is moving.
Apply for a school place as soon as you have an address, and ask about the Fair Access Protocol if your child is out of school.
Where to get help
SENDIASS for free local advice, IPSEA and Contact nationally.
Where to read more
Last reviewed 2026-08-28 by Fiducia Together · Next review due 2027-08-28
Please note: This page explains a word or a process in education. It is general information about the system, the law and the guidance in England — not advice about your child, your school or your exam. If a decision is going against you, get advice from one of the free services we link to before you agree to anything or miss a deadline. If you are revising, check your own exam board's specification: boards word things differently and yours is the one that marks you.