Last reviewed: March 2026
Written by: School of Diversity SEND Support Team
Topic: Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP)
This guide is designed to help parents understand the EHCP process in England and is regularly updated to reflect SEND guidance and procedures.
Top 10 EHCP Mistakes Parents Should Watch For
Receiving an Education, Health and Care Plan can feel like progress — but many parents later discover that the wording in the plan makes it difficult to ensure their child actually receives the support they need.
EHCPs are long documents, and some problems are easy to miss at first. Understanding common mistakes can help parents review the plan more confidently and identify areas that may need clarification or amendment.
Below are ten common EHCP mistakes parents should look out for when reviewing a plan.
1. Needs are not clearly described
The EHCP should clearly describe the child’s needs in Section B.
A common problem is when needs are described vaguely, for example:
“The child sometimes struggles with attention.”
Clear descriptions should explain how the difficulty affects learning and daily school life.
2. Needs do not link to support
Every need described in Section B should link directly to provision in Section F.
If a need appears in Section B but no support is listed in Section F, it becomes difficult to ensure the support is delivered.
3. Vague wording in Section F
Section F should describe the special educational provision the child must receive.
Common vague phrases include:
“Access to support”
“Opportunities for support”
“Support as required”
“Regular assistance”
These phrases can make provision difficult to enforce.
4. Support is not quantified
Provision should be specific.
For example:
Weak wording
“Additional support in class.”
Stronger wording
“10 hours per week of 1:1 support from a trained teaching assistant.”
Quantified provision helps ensure support is actually delivered.
5. Professional recommendations are missing
Professional reports — such as those from educational psychologists or therapists — often include recommendations.
Sometimes these recommendations appear in reports but are not included in the EHCP provision.
Parents should check whether professional advice has been reflected in the plan.
6. Outcomes are unclear
Outcomes in Section E should describe what progress the child is expected to make.
Weak outcomes often look like:
“The child will improve their learning.”
Clear outcomes should explain what improvement looks like and how progress will be measured.
7. Important needs are missing
Sometimes EHCPs focus heavily on academic needs while overlooking:
Emotional wellbeing
Sensory needs
Social communication differences
If a need is not written in the plan, it may not be addressed through provision.
8. Placement details are unclear
Section I should clearly name the school or setting.
Parents should check that:
The correct placement is named
The school can meet the child’s needs
The plan reflects the support required in that setting
9. Parent views are not included
Section A should reflect:
The child’s views
The parents’ views
Hopes and aspirations
While this section is not legally enforceable, it ensures the plan reflects the family’s perspective.
10. The plan is difficult to understand
An EHCP should be clear and readable.
If the wording is overly complex or inconsistent, it may make the plan harder to implement effectively.
Parents should feel comfortable asking for clarification or amendments.
Reviewing an EHCP is a learning process
Many parents worry about overlooking something important. In reality, reviewing an EHCP is a process that becomes easier over time.
Understanding the structure of the plan and the purpose of each section can help parents feel more confident advocating for their child.
Resources such as checklists and wording examples can also make reviewing the document more manageable.
EHCP Mistakes – Parent FAQs
What is the most common EHCP mistake?
One of the most common problems is vague wording in Section F, which makes it difficult to ensure support is delivered.
Why is Section F so important?
Section F describes the special educational provision a child must receive and is legally enforceable.
Can parents ask for changes to an EHCP?
Yes. Parents can request amendments during the draft stage, annual reviews, or through appeal if necessary.
Should every need have matching support in an EHCP?
Yes. Each need described in Section B should link directly to provision in Section F.
What should parents do if they find mistakes in an EHCP?
Parents can request clarification or amendments, particularly during the draft stage or annual review.
Explore more EHCP guidance
Understanding common EHCP mistakes can help parents review their child’s plan more confidently and identify areas that may need clarification or improvement. If you would like a broader overview of the process, you can explore our complete EHCP guide for parents, where all of our EHCP resources are brought together in one place. When reviewing your child’s plan, our EHCP checklist for parents can help you check whether anything important may be missing. You may also want to look at Section F wording examples, which show how the support written in an EHCP should be clearly described. For a better understanding of how well-written plans compare with weaker ones, you can also explore EHCP examples: good vs bad plans.