This page is all about education, health and care plans (EHCPs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Find out what EHCPS are, whether your child needs one and what EHCP assessments are like. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This information relates to England. Find out more about education support in Scotland<\/a>, Wales<\/a> and Northern Ireland<\/a>.\u00a0 We support people with complex disabilities of all ages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From our free play sessions for children under eight, to our adult residential care services<\/a>, we\u2019re with disabled people and their families every step of the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Get in touch with our team to find out more about Sense services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On this page:<\/p>\n\n\n\n An education, health and care plan, or EHCP, is a plan for children and young people who need additional educational support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SEN (special educational needs) support is support that\u2019s available to all children and young people who need it in school, nursery or other educational settings. Find out more about SEN.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Special educational needs and disability (SEND)<\/a> support should be available to all children and young people with SEND, aged 0\u201325, as long as they are in education or training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An EHCP is a legal document. You can get one from birth, up until the age of 25.<\/p>\n\n\n\n EHCPs set out:<\/p>\n\n\n\n EHCP stands for \u201ceducation, health and care plan\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is sometimes referred to as an EHC plan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your child\u2019s EHCP will outline their needs, and what specific support they would benefit from. This is called the \u201cprovision\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your local authority has a responsibility to make sure children with EHCPs are receiving the provision set out in their EHCP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What provision your child is entitled to will depend on what they need. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Their EHCP might recommend support such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first stage in getting an EHCP is identifying that a child has special educational needs that can\u2019t be met by their school\/nursery\/college.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the young person needs more learning support, and their needs can;t be met by the educational support currently on offer, then an EHCP assessment may be requested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This can be requested by parents, carers, professionals or by the young person themselves if they are aged 16-25. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Find out more about how to request an EHCP assessment as a parent.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n In this stage, the local authority will carry out an EHCP assessment to determine whether the child needs an EHCP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Find out more about EHCP assessments.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n If the assessment finds that a young person needs an EHCP, the next stage is to create the plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The local authority will use evidence and advice from professionals involved in a child\u2019s care to help them draft a plan for that child\u2019s support. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Find out more about what\u2019s in an EHCP.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Once the plan has been created and finalised, it should be put into action. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There should be clear communication between educational professionals and parents about how this is being done. <\/p>\n\n\n\n EHCPs must be reviewed every year. The first review should happen within 12 months of the plan being finalised. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Find out more about EHCP reviews.<\/a><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n Your child may need an EHCP if they need more support than their school or educational setting can offer them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To get one, you will need to show that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although the EHCP can include health or social care needs, your child will not get an EHCP if their needs do not affect their education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To find out if your child can get an EHCP, they\u2019ll need to have an EHCP assessment. Find out more about EHCP assessments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your child doesn\u2019t need to have a medical diagnosis to get an EHCP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You just need to show that your child\u2019s needs are not being met, and they need more support than their school\/nursery\/college can offer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This will need to be shown at an EHCP assessment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can ask your local authority<\/a> to carry out an assessment if you think your child needs an EHCP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An EHCP assessment or EHC needs assessment is an assessment of what a young person needs, in terms of education, health and social care. <\/p>\n\n\n\n EHCP assessments are carried out by the local authority. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The local authority may ask for information from:<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also proactively gather this information yourself to make sure the local authority considers it. For example, you might ask a play worker from Sense who knows you well to provide evidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The local authority uses the information gathered to decide whether the child needs an EHCP. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If it\u2019s decided that your child needs an EHCP, the local authority must then provide one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Visit the IPSEA website for more detail about what happens during an EHCP assessment. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n EHCP assessments can be requested by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Find out more about requesting an EHCP assessment as a parent.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n An EHCP is made up of 12 sections, detailing the young person\u2019s needs and ideal outcomes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There is no national standard for how these sections are presented – it is up to each local authority. But the sections must be clearly labelled. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The 12 sections of an EHCP are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n A.<\/strong> The views, interests and aspirations of you and your child. The following are some EHCP examples provided by local authorities around England:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Swindon Borough Council – example EHCP<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Cumbria County Council – EHCP examples of good practice<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Enfield Council – exemplar EHCP template<\/a><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n If your child has an EHCP, they can go to a mainstream school or a SEN school<\/a> (or sixth form or further education college<\/a>), depending on their needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In SEN schools, sometimes called special schools, there are only pupils with SEND, usually with complex needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SEN schools usually have specially trained teachers, therapists and special equipment to support pupils\u2019 needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An EHCP is a legal document, which means that the school named in it must legally accept your child and offer them the support outlined in the EHCP. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If your child\u2019s school is refusing to take them, despite being named in their EHCP, you should speak to your local authority and seek legal advice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In some exceptional circumstances, schools may be able to refuse children with an EHCP (for example, if the child\u2019s health and safety would be at risk).<\/p>\n\n\n\n These decisions are rare, and should only be made when the school has explored every alternative. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you find yourself in this situation, it is recommended to seek legal advice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also have more information on how to apply for an EHCP as a parent<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sense is here for you at every stage of life<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What is an EHCP?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What does EHCP stand for?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What does an EHCP entitle you to?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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What are the five stages of an EHCP?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Stage one: Identifying needs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Stage two: Assessment<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Stage three: Planning<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Stage four: Implementing the plan<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Stage five: Reviewing the plan<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Does my child need an EHCP?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Does my child need a diagnosis to get an EHCP?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
EHCP assessments<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What is an EHCP assessment?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Who can ask for an EHCP assessment?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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What does an EHCP look like?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
B.<\/strong> Special educational needs.
C.<\/strong> Health needs related to special educational needs.
D.<\/strong> Social care needs related to special educational needs.
E.<\/strong> Outcomes \u2013 how the extra help will benefit your child.
F.<\/strong> Special educational provision (support).
G.<\/strong> Health provision.
H.<\/strong> Social care provision.
I.<\/strong> Placement \u2013 type and name of school or other institution (blank in the draft plan).
J. <\/strong>Personal budget arrangements.
K.<\/strong> Advice and information \u2013 a list of the information gathered during the education, health and care needs assessment.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n EHCP examples<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If my child gets an EHCP, what school or college can they go to?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Can a school refuse a child with an EHCP?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
On what grounds can a school refuse a child with an EHCP?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n