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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.

EHCP Annual Review Checklist

An EHCP annual review checklist helps parents prepare for review meetings by checking whether the child’s needs, support, and outcomes in the Education, Health and Care Plan remain accurate. Reviewing the plan in advance helps parents identify changes needed and ensure the support described in the EHCP continues to meet the child’s needs.

Key Takeaways

  • EHCPs must be reviewed at least once a year through an annual review meeting.

  • Parents can prepare by reviewing needs, provision, and outcomes in the plan.

  • The annual review allows schools and parents to update the EHCP if needed.

  • Preparing notes before the meeting can help ensure important concerns are discussed.

  • Parents can request changes if the plan no longer reflects the child’s needs.

The EHCP annual review is an important opportunity to review the support a child receives in school. During the meeting, parents, teachers, and professionals discuss the child’s progress and whether the support described in the plan continues to meet their needs.

Preparing for the review in advance can help parents ensure that the meeting focuses on the child’s needs and the support required to help them succeed in education.

Review the Child’s Needs (Section B)

Direct answer:
Section B of an EHCP describes the child’s special educational needs.

Before the meeting, parents may wish to check:

  • Are all of my child’s needs clearly described?

  • Have any new needs emerged since the last review?

  • Do the reports accurately describe how needs affect learning?

If important needs are missing, parents can raise this during the review.

Review the Support Provided (Section F)

Definition:
Section F describes the special educational provision required to meet the child’s needs.

Parents may wish to ask:

  • Is the support in the plan being delivered consistently?

  • Is the support detailed and specific?

  • Does the current support still meet my child’s needs?

If provision is unclear or not delivered, changes may be requested.

Review Outcomes and Progress

Direct answer:
Annual reviews assess whether the child is making progress toward the outcomes described in the plan.

Parents may wish to consider:

  • What progress has my child made this year?

  • Are the outcomes still appropriate?

  • Should new outcomes be added?

This helps ensure the plan reflects the child’s current stage of development.

Consider Any Changes Needed

Children’s needs often change over time. Parents may wish to discuss:

  • additional support required

  • changes to provision

  • new professional assessments

  • changes in educational placement

These discussions help ensure the EHCP remains relevant.

Prepare Questions for the Meeting

Parents may wish to prepare questions such as:

  • How is my child’s progress being monitored?

  • Are teachers aware of the support described in the plan?

  • Are there any recommended changes to support strategies?

Writing questions in advance can help parents feel more confident during the meeting.

Bring Supporting Information

Parents may find it helpful to bring:

  • recent reports

  • examples of schoolwork

  • notes about concerns or progress

  • professional assessments

This information can help support discussions during the review.

FAQ

How often are EHCP annual reviews held?

EHCPs are usually reviewed once every year.

Yes. Parents can request changes if the plan no longer reflects the child’s needs.

Meetings may include parents, school staff, SEN coordinators, and relevant professionals.

The local authority decides whether the EHCP should remain the same, be amended, or be ceased.

Explore More EHCP Guidance

If you are preparing for an annual review meeting, you may also find our complete EHCP guide for parents helpful. This guide explains every stage of the EHCP process, from understanding what an EHCP is to applying for an assessment and reviewing a plan. You may also find EHCP Annual Review Explained, Section F Wording Examples, and Questions to Ask at an EHCP Meeting useful when preparing for discussions with your child’s school.