Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP)

If your child has more complex special educational needs, they may need an Education Health and Care Plan, also known as an 'EHC Plan', or 'EHCP'.

This is a legal document that:

• describes your child or young person's Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, and
• describes the support that is needed to meet these needs

The Council is responsible for producing and maintaining the EHCP, working closely with you, your child or young person, their school / setting, and any other service providers involved. 

EHCPs are designed to be person centred. This means that they focus on the child / young person and what they aspire to be as they grow up.

They focus on short term and long term goals, and the steps that need to be taken to achieve them. These are called outcomes.

From year 9, it must also focus on preparing for adulthood.

Reviewing the plan

EHCPs are reviewed on an annual basis (where the child is 5 years old or younger, it may be reviewed every 3 / 6 months). This is called an Annual Review.

You can also request an interim review of your child's EHCP, if you feel that your child's needs have changed significantly.

In some cases, a reassessment of your child's needs may be needed.

What support is available

If your child / young person has a plan agreed, the Council must provide the special educational support that is described in the plan.

This means a plan can give your child / young person extra educational support.

A plan can also give you more choice about which school / setting might suit your child or young person.