If you believe your child needs more support in nursery, school, or college than their current setting can provide, you may be considering an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). An EHCP is a legally binding document that outlines the educational, health and social care support a child or young person with significant additional needs is entitled to receive.
This guide walks you through what an EHCP is, how to request one, what evidence you’ll need, and what to expect from the process.
✅ What Is an EHCP?
An EHCP is for children and young people aged 0–25 who require more support than a school or educational setting can normally provide through SEN Support. It details:
- Your child's specific needs
- The support needed to meet these needs
- The outcomes everyone is working towards
It can also include input from external specialists such as specialist teachers, educational psychologists or speech and language therapists.
✅ Who Can Apply for an EHCP?
You can apply for an EHC needs assessment yourself as a parent or carer. Other people who can also make a request include:
- Teachers and SENCos
- Doctors or health visitors
- Social care professionals
- Young people aged 16–25
Even if your child’s school is not supportive of the application, you still have the legal right to apply directly to your local authority (LA).
✅ Step 1: Speak to Your Child’s Education Setting (Optional but Helpful)
Before submitting a request, talk to your child’s teacher or the SENCo. They may:
- Share useful evidence
- Provide reports
- Help you write the request
- Submit the application on your behalf
If the school does not agree, you can still apply independently.
✅ Step 2: Request an EHC Needs Assessment
To begin the process, you must request an assessment from your local authority. You can do this:
- Online, via the LA website
- By letter—include details about your child’s needs and why this support is required
- Through your child’s school, if they agree to submit the request for you
A simple written request must be accepted for consideration. The LA has six weeks to decide whether to carry out the assessment.
✅ Step 3: Gather Evidence
If an assessment goes ahead, you may be asked to provide:
- School or nursery reports
- Medical or therapy reports
- Your own written account of your child's needs
The more detailed the evidence, the clearer the picture of the support your child needs.
✅ Step 4: Local Authority Decision
Within 16 weeks of receiving your request, the LA must tell you whether they will issue an EHCP.
If the plan is approved, they will produce a draft EHCP, which you can review and comment on. You have at least 15 days to give feedback or request a specific school.
✅ Step 5: Final EHCP Issued
The full EHCP process must be completed within 20 weeks from the date the LA received the initial assessment request.
The final plan will detail your child’s needs, the support required, and the educational placement.
✅ What If the LA Refuses?
You can challenge decisions such as:
- Refusing to assess
- Refusing to issue a plan
- Disagreements about the support
- Disagreements about the school named
If disagreements can’t be resolved, you can appeal to the SEND Tribunal.
✅ Final Tips for Parents
- Keep copies of all reports
- Keep a timeline of communication
- Be clear and factual in your request
- Don’t be afraid to advocate for your child
- Seek support from SEND charities or parent groups if you need help navigating the process
✅ Conclusion
Applying for an EHCP can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. You know your child best, and you have the right to request the support they need to thrive. Understanding the steps—and the legal timelines—can empower you to move confidently through the process.
If you believe your child needs more support in nursery, school, or college than their current setting can provide, you may be considering an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). An EHCP is a legally binding document that outlines the educational, health and social care support a child or young person with significant additional needs is entitled to receive.
This guide walks you through what an EHCP is, how to request one, what evidence you’ll need, and what to expect from the process.
✅ What Is an EHCP?
An EHCP is for children and young people aged 0–25 who require more support than a school or educational setting can normally provide through SEN Support. It details:
- Your child's specific needs
- The support needed to meet these needs
- The outcomes everyone is working towards
It can also include input from external specialists such as educational psychologists, occupational therapists or speech and language therapists.
✅ Who Can Apply for an EHCP?
You can apply for an EHC needs assessment yourself as a parent or carer. Other people who can also make a request include:
- Teachers and SENCos
- Doctors or health visitors
- Social care professionals
- Young people aged 16–25
Even if your child’s school is not supportive of the application, you still have the legal right to apply directly to your local authority (LA).
✅ Step 1: Speak to Your Child’s Education Setting (Optional but Helpful)
Before submitting a request, talk to your child’s teacher or the SENCo. They may:
- Share useful evidence
- Provide reports
- Help you write the request
- Submit the application on your behalf
If the school does not agree, you can still apply independently.
✅ Step 2: Request an EHC Needs Assessment
To begin the process, you must request an assessment from your local authority. You can do this:
- Online, via the LA website
- By letter—include details about your child’s needs and why this support is required
- Through your child’s school, if they agree to submit the request for you
A simple written request must be accepted for consideration. The LA has six weeks to decide whether to carry out the assessment.
✅ Step 3: Gather Evidence
If an assessment goes ahead, you may be asked to provide:
- School or nursery reports
- Medical or therapy reports
- Your own written account of your child's needs
The more detailed the evidence, the clearer the picture of the support your child needs.
✅ Step 4: Local Authority Decision
Within 16 weeks of receiving your request, the LA must tell you whether they will issue an EHCP.
If the plan is approved, they will produce a draft EHCP, which you can review and comment on. You have at least 15 days to give feedback or request a specific school.
✅ Step 5: Final EHCP Issued
The full EHCP process must be completed within 20 weeks from the date the LA received the initial assessment request.
The final plan will detail your child’s needs, the support required, and the educational placement.
✅ What If the LA Refuses?
You can challenge decisions such as:
- Refusing to assess
- Refusing to issue a plan
- Disagreements about the support
- Disagreements about the school named
If disagreements can’t be resolved, you can appeal to the SEND Tribunal.
✅ Final Tips for Parents
- Keep copies of all reports
- Keep a timeline of communication
- Be clear and factual in your request
- Don’t be afraid to advocate for your child
- Seek support from SEND charities or parent groups if you need help navigating the process
✅ Conclusion
Applying for an EHCP can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. You know your child best, and you have the right to request the support they need to thrive. Understanding the steps—and the legal timelines—can empower you to move confidently through the process. Practical SEND Solutions can offer support at every step of the way, from contributing to and reviewing application paperwork to build a strong application to reviewing a draft EHCP to ensure that it reflects your child's needs and the provision is appropriate.
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