EHCP Evidence Review and Preparation

Clear, structured support to help you identify the evidence that matters, organise your documents and present your child’s needs effectively.

Families often collect large numbers of reports, school records, emails and professional recommendations without knowing:

which documents are most important;
what each document demonstrates;
whether important evidence is missing;
how the evidence connects to an EHCP application or appeal;
how to organise everything into a clear submission.

A large collection of documents is not automatically a strong evidence pack.

School of Diversity can review the information you hold, identify the key findings and help prepare a focused evidence submission for an EHCP application, annual review, mediation or SEND Tribunal appeal.

What Is an EHCP Evidence Review?

An EHCP evidence review examines the available records relating to a child or young person’s special educational needs, educational experience and required provision.

The purpose is to identify:

what the evidence establishes;
which needs have been identified;
how those needs affect access to education;
what support has already been attempted;
whether that support has been sufficient;
which professional recommendations have been made;
what evidence may still be missing;
how the documents should be organised and presented.

The review is tailored to the stage you have reached.

It may support:

an EHC needs assessment request;
a response to a refusal to assess;
a draft EHCP review;
an annual review;
mediation;
an appeal concerning a final EHCP;
SEND Tribunal case preparation.

Why Evidence Preparation Matters

Local authorities and tribunals need to understand the connection between:

the child or young person’s needs;
the effect of those needs on education;
the support already provided;
the results of that support;
the additional or specialist provision required.

Submitting reports without explaining their relevance can make it difficult for the reader to identify the important findings.

A structured evidence pack can help show:

how long concerns have existed;
whether needs occur across different settings;
whether progress depends on substantial support;
whether provision has been delivered consistently;
whether professional recommendations have been followed;
why statutory assessment, amendments or an appeal outcome may be necessary.

The aim is not to produce the longest possible bundle. It is to create a clear, relevant and evidence-led case.

When Might You Need an Evidence Review?

Evidence Review and Preparation may be helpful where:

you are preparing an EHCP application;
you have several professional reports but do not know what to include;
school records appear inconsistent;
your child’s needs are understated in the existing EHCP;
you have received a refusal to assess;
the local authority says there is insufficient evidence;
you are preparing for an annual review;
Section F provision has not been delivered;
you are considering mediation;
a final EHCP is being appealed;
the Tribunal has set an evidence deadline;
documents are duplicated, disorganised or difficult to follow;
important recommendations appear to have been overlooked.

What Types of Evidence Can Be Reviewed?

The evidence required will depend on your child and the decision or plan being considered.

EHCP and Local-Authority Documents

These may include:

an EHC needs assessment request;
a refusal letter;
a draft EHCP;
a final EHCP;
notices of amendment;
annual review decisions;
local-authority correspondence;
mediation documentation;
Tribunal directions;
the local authority’s appeal response;
a working document.

These documents help identify the decision being challenged and the issues that need to be evidenced.

School and Educational Evidence

School evidence can help demonstrate how your child functions within the educational environment.

This may include:

SEN Support plans;
assess, plan, do and review records;
individual education plans;
provision maps;
school reports;
teacher observations;
SENCO correspondence;
progress and attainment data;
reading or spelling assessments;
attendance records;
reduced-timetable records;
incident logs;
suspension or exclusion records;
meeting notes;
behaviour or regulation plans;
risk assessments;
transition plans.

A provision map should be considered alongside evidence showing what your child actually received and whether it made a sufficient difference.

Professional Reports

Professional evidence may identify needs, functional impact and recommended provision.

Relevant reports may include:

Educational Psychology

Evidence may address:

cognition and learning;
working memory;
processing speed;
executive functioning;
emotional wellbeing;
engagement with learning;
appropriate teaching approaches;
specialist support;
recommended provision.

Speech and Language Therapy

Evidence may address:

receptive language;
expressive language;
social communication;
speech;
vocabulary;
verbal processing;
interaction;
communication during distress;
therapy or intervention requirements.

Occupational Therapy

Evidence may address:

sensory processing;
motor coordination;
handwriting;
posture;
fatigue;
personal care;
equipment;
environmental adjustments;
sensory-regulation programmes.

Autism and ADHD Assessments

Assessment reports may provide evidence about:

developmental history;
communication and interaction;
attention;
impulsivity;
executive functioning;
sensory differences;
emotional regulation;
daily functioning;
educational recommendations.

A diagnostic conclusion alone does not explain every educational need. The recommendations and functional evidence should also be considered.

Health and Mental Health Evidence

Relevant evidence may come from:

paediatricians;
CAMHS;
psychiatrists;
GPs;
neurologists;
physiotherapists;
nurses;
other clinical professionals.

The evidence should explain how the health need affects access to education where relevant.

Parent and Family Evidence

Parents hold important evidence about their child’s history, functioning and support needs.

This may include:

a parent statement;
developmental history;
home observations;
records of distress before or after school;
sleep information;
personal-care needs;
supervision and safety needs;
communication difficulties;
sensory experiences;
emotional regulation;
homework difficulties;
school-avoidance records;
recovery time after school;
a chronology of significant events;
emails and correspondence.

Parental evidence is particularly important where a child masks at school or presents differently across environments.

The Child or Young Person’s Evidence

The child or young person’s views should be included wherever possible and appropriate.

Their evidence might explain:

what they enjoy;
what they find difficult;
how they experience school;
what causes anxiety or distress;
which environments are difficult;
what support helps;
how they feel about their current or proposed placement;
what they want for the future.

Views may be gathered through:

a written statement;
a questionnaire;
drawings;
symbols;
recorded answers;
supported conversation;
observation.

Where a child cannot communicate their views directly, explain how preferences, responses and behaviour have been observed.

Evidence From Other Settings

Useful evidence may also come from:

previous schools;
early years settings;
tutors;
childcare providers;
clubs;
respite services;
youth organisations;
family support workers;
transport providers;
independent therapists.

This can help show how needs present across settings or explain why difficulties may not be equally visible everywhere.

What Does Strong EHCP Evidence Show?

Strong evidence usually helps answer several key questions.

What Are the Child’s Needs?

The documents should identify functional needs rather than relying only on broad descriptions or diagnoses.

How Do the Needs Affect Education?

Evidence may show difficulties with:

accessing teaching;
understanding instructions;
retaining learning;
communicating;
managing the environment;
attending school;
completing work;
regulating emotions;
developing independence;
building relationships;
remaining safe.

What Support Has Been Tried?

The evidence should explain:

what support was provided;
when it began;
frequency and duration;
who delivered it;
whether it was delivered consistently;
how its impact was reviewed.

What Difference Did the Support Make?

Evidence should distinguish between:

progress resulting from support;
continued difficulty despite support;
progress that depends on intensive adult assistance;
support that was listed but not delivered;
support that was too limited to assess properly.

What Provision Is Now Required?

Professional and educational evidence should help clarify:

specialist teaching;
individual intervention;
therapy;
adult support;
environmental adjustments;
staff training;
transition support;
specialist placement;
monitoring and review arrangements.

Connecting Evidence to EHCP Sections

For draft reviews and appeals, evidence should be linked to the relevant EHCP sections.

Evidence finding	Relevant EHCP section	What may need to change
Difficulty understanding multi-step instructions	Section B	Add receptive-language and processing needs
Recommendation for three individual language sessions weekly	Section F	Specify frequency, duration and delivery arrangements
Severe sensory distress in busy environments	Sections B and F	Add sensory needs and environmental provision
Current school cannot provide the required specialist teaching	Section I	Consider appropriate type of placement
Child wants greater independence and preparation for college	Sections A and E	Update aspirations and outcomes

This mapping helps prevent important recommendations from remaining only in the reports or appendices.

Identifying Evidence Gaps

An evidence review may identify that further information is needed.

Common gaps include:

no current description of the child’s needs;
limited evidence about the support already tried;
no record of intervention frequency;
insufficient progress data;
missing attendance information;
no evidence about emotional or sensory impact;
professional recommendations that lack specificity;
conflicting school and parent accounts;
no child or young person’s views;
no explanation of why the current placement is unsuitable;
no evidence showing whether Section F has been delivered.

An evidence gap does not always mean that a new private assessment is required.

It may be possible to obtain clarification through:

school records;
an updated professional letter;
a focused questionnaire;
attendance data;
parent records;
a witness statement;
requesting existing records from the school or local authority.

Organising an EHCP Evidence Pack

A clear evidence pack should be easy to navigate.

A suggested structure is:

1. Cover Page

Include:

child or young person’s name;
date of birth;
purpose of the evidence pack;
date prepared;
relevant decision or review.

2. Evidence Index

List:

document number;
document title;
author;
date;
page range.

3. Case or Evidence Summary

Provide a concise overview of:

the main needs;
educational impact;
support already attempted;
principal professional recommendations;
issues requiring action.

4. Parent and Young Person Evidence

Include:

parent statement;
child or young person’s views;
relevant chronology or home records.

5. School Evidence

Arrange school records in a clear order, usually by category or date.

6. Professional Evidence

Include complete reports rather than isolated pages wherever possible.

7. Supporting Records

This may include:

attendance;
incidents;
exclusions;
correspondence;
placement evidence.

Duplicate documents should normally be removed.

Creating an Evidence Index

An evidence index allows the reader to locate documents quickly.

Reference	Document	Author	Date	Pages
A1	Parent statement	Parent	12 June 2026	1–6
A2	Young person’s views	Young person	10 June 2026	7–8
B1	SEN Support plan	School	15 March 2026	9–15
B2	Attendance record	School	7 June 2026	16–18
C1	Educational psychology report	Educational psychologist	20 February 2026	19–37
C2	Speech and language report	Speech and language therapist	4 April 2026	38–49

Use consistent filenames and references across the pack.

Creating an Evidence Summary

An evidence summary should identify the key conclusions rather than repeat each report in full.

A useful format is:

Identified need	Supporting evidence	Educational impact	Current provision	Further action required
Receptive-language difficulty	SALT report, teacher observations	Cannot follow whole-class instructions	Visual prompts and repetition	Specific individual language programme
Sensory-regulation needs	OT report, parent diary	Distress in assemblies and busy corridors	Informal movement breaks	Defined sensory plan and environmental adjustments
Executive-function difficulty	Psychology report, school records	Cannot plan or complete tasks independently	General classroom prompting	Structured individual prompting and organisational support

The summary should direct the reader to the complete evidence.

Evidence for an EHC Needs Assessment Request

At application stage, evidence should help show that:

the child or young person has or may have special educational needs;
existing support may not be sufficient;
coordinated statutory assessment may be necessary.

Useful evidence may include:

SEN Support records;
progress information;
professional reports;
attendance evidence;
parent observations;
the child’s views;
information about provision already attempted.

Parents do not need every possible professional report before requesting an assessment.

Evidence for a Draft EHCP Review

When reviewing a draft plan, evidence should be compared directly with the wording in the EHCP.

Check whether:

every identified need appears in Section B;
professional recommendations appear in Section F;
provision has been weakened or generalised;
outcomes reflect the evidence;
Section I is consistent with the identified needs and provision;
every report is listed in Section K.

An attached report does not remove the need for relevant needs and provision to appear in the main body of the plan.

Evidence for an Annual Review

Annual-review evidence should show:

progress since the previous review;
changed or emerging needs;
whether Section F provision was delivered;
whether outcomes remain appropriate;
whether the placement remains suitable;
amendments required.

Comparing the existing plan with what has actually happened can reveal significant gaps.

Evidence for Mediation

Mediation evidence should focus on:

the decision or wording in dispute;
the change being requested;
the evidence supporting that request;
any new information not previously considered.

A concise mediation position is often more effective than presenting every concern without prioritisation.

Evidence for a SEND Tribunal Appeal

Tribunal evidence should be relevant to the issues under appeal.

Depending on the case, it may support:

the identified special educational needs;
required provision;
placement;
refusal to assess;
refusal to issue;
refusal to amend;
a cease-to-maintain decision.

Once an appeal is registered, the Tribunal normally issues directions containing a deadline for submitting further evidence.

Documents sent to the Tribunal must also be provided to the other party in accordance with the directions.

The local authority prepares the final tribunal bundle in an EHC appeal, but it must include the evidence properly submitted by both parties.

Reviewing the Local Authority’s Evidence

Evidence Review and Preparation may also involve considering documents submitted by the local authority.

We can help identify:

factual inaccuracies;
outdated information;
unsupported assumptions;
contradictions between reports;
provisions described as available but not delivered;
recommendations that have been omitted;
areas where further parental clarification is required;
evidence that may support the parent’s case despite being submitted by the authority.

The local authority’s evidence should be considered carefully rather than accepted automatically.

Evidence Deadlines

Where a Tribunal appeal is underway, the case directions will state when further evidence must be submitted.

Parents should:

record the deadline immediately;
work backwards from the deadline;
allow time to obtain reports;
allow time to review and organise documents;
avoid sending duplicate evidence;
retain proof of submission;
serve the evidence on the local authority as required.

Late evidence may require permission from the Tribunal and may not automatically be accepted.

Parents remain responsible for checking the directions issued in their individual case.

The Tribunal Bundle

The tribunal bundle contains the written evidence that will be considered in the appeal.

The local authority is normally responsible for preparing and distributing the bundle in an EHC appeal.

Before the hearing, parents should check that:

their submitted evidence has been included;
documents are complete;
page numbers are clear;
the correct EHCP and decision are included;
no important report is missing;
duplicate documents have not made the bundle difficult to use;
they know where to find the most important evidence.

The local authority should not omit properly submitted parental evidence simply because it does not support its position.

Common Evidence Problems

Too Many Documents Without a Clear Case

A large volume of records may obscure the strongest evidence.

Important Recommendations Are Not Highlighted

Professional reports may contain valuable recommendations that are difficult to locate.

Reports Are Submitted Without Explaining Their Relevance

Identify what each important document establishes.

The Evidence Focuses Only on Diagnosis

Diagnosis should be connected to functional need and educational provision.

Academic Attainment Is Treated as the Whole Picture

Evidence should also consider communication, sensory needs, attendance, emotional wellbeing and independence.

Parent Evidence Is Too General

Use dated, specific examples and explain the support required.

School Provision Is Listed but Not Evaluated

Clarify whether the intervention was delivered, for how long and with what result.

The Same Document Is Included Several Times

Remove duplicates and use an index.

Evidence Is Submitted After the Deadline

Begin preparation early and check all case directions.

Our Two Levels of Evidence Support

Parents can choose a focused statement service or a wider evidence-review and preparation package.

Compare Evidence Support Packages

Feature	Parent Statement Preparation	Enhanced Evidence Review and Preparation
Price	£185	From £350
Best for	Parents needing a clear, structured statement	Families needing reports and records organised into a coherent evidence pack
Structured parent questionnaire	✓	✓
Parent statement	✓	✓
Review of selected background information	✓	✓
Child or young person’s views	Optional add-on	Where agreed
Wider evidence review	—	✓
Key findings identified	—	✓
Evidence gaps identified	—	✓
Evidence index	—	✓
Evidence summary	—	✓
Needs and provision mapping	—	Where relevant
Chronology	—	Where required
Consultation	—	✓
One agreed revision	✓	✓
Full tribunal case management	—	Quoted separately

Parent Statement Preparation — £185

Suitable where you need a detailed parent statement but do not require a full evidence-pack review.

Includes:

structured parent questionnaire;
review of selected background information;
professionally organised parent statement;
clear description of needs and educational impact;
strengths, interests and aspirations;
support required at home and school;
one agreed revision.

A combined parent and young person statement package is available from £265.

Enhanced Evidence Review and Preparation — From £350

Suitable where you need help reviewing and organising a wider collection of evidence.

The package may include:

initial consultation;
structured parent questionnaire;
review of an agreed evidence allowance;
identification of key findings;
evidence-gap analysis;
parent statement;
child or young person’s views where agreed;
evidence index;
concise evidence summary;
needs and provision mapping where relevant;
chronology where required;
document-naming and organisation guidance;
one consultation to discuss the completed review;
one agreed revision.

The final price will depend on:

the amount of evidence;
the purpose of the evidence pack;
whether a chronology is needed;
whether tribunal directions apply;
the number and length of professional reports;
the urgency of the deadline.

Evidence Review for Complex or Tribunal Cases

Cases involving extensive evidence, multiple disputed EHCP sections or placement may require a tailored quotation.

A more complex evidence service may include:

review of the local authority’s response;
analysis of a large evidence bundle;
detailed evidence chronology;
mapping evidence to Sections B, F and I;
identifying witness evidence;
reviewing gaps before the final evidence deadline;
checking the tribunal bundle;
preparing a key-evidence reference guide.

This work may form part of Supported Tribunal Casework rather than a standalone evidence package.

What We Need From You

We will normally ask you to provide:

the current EHCP or decision letter;
the purpose of the evidence review;
the relevant deadline;
principal school records;
professional reports;
parental records;
child or young person’s views;
local-authority correspondence;
tribunal directions where applicable.

Documents should be provided electronically and named clearly where possible.

Do not send original documents by post unless this has been agreed.

How Our Evidence Review Process Works

1. Book a Free Consultation

Tell us:

what stage you have reached;
what decision or document you are dealing with;
how much evidence you hold;
your main concerns;
any approaching deadline.

2. Receive a Document Request

We explain which documents are most relevant and confirm the initial evidence allowance.

3. Confirm the Scope and Fee

You receive a written service schedule stating:

documents included;
page allowance;
written outputs;
consultation;
revision allowance;
deadline;
exclusions.

4. Evidence Review

We examine the agreed documents and identify:

key findings;
needs;
educational impact;
existing provision;
recommendations;
gaps and inconsistencies.

5. Evidence Preparation

We prepare the agreed index, summary, statement, chronology or mapping document.

6. Parent Review

You check the factual accuracy and provide any agreed corrections.

7. Final Documents

You receive the completed evidence-preparation documents and guidance about their intended use.

Who Is This Service For?

Evidence Review and Preparation may be suitable where:

you have reports but do not know what they prove;
your documents are disorganised;
you need a parent statement;
you need an evidence index;
important professional findings appear to have been overlooked;
you need to demonstrate provision already attempted;
school and parent evidence differ;
your child masks in school;
a local-authority decision refers to insufficient evidence;
a draft EHCP does not reflect the reports;
an annual review is approaching;
mediation has been arranged;
a Tribunal evidence deadline has been issued;
you need help checking the final bundle.

Why Choose School of Diversity?

Clear Evidence Organisation

We turn separate reports and records into a coherent, navigable evidence pack.

Focus on Relevance

We identify what the evidence demonstrates rather than simply reproducing every document.

Parent and Child Voice

Family evidence is integrated alongside school and professional information.

Needs and Provision Mapping

Where relevant, we connect the evidence to the EHCP sections and requested provision.

Defined Scope and Fees

The documents, page allowance, outputs and revision arrangements are confirmed before work begins.

Support Across England

Evidence review and document preparation can be delivered remotely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Need Every Professional Report Before Applying for an EHCP?

No.

You can request an EHC needs assessment using the relevant evidence currently available.

Is More Evidence Always Better?

No.

Relevant and clearly organised evidence is generally more useful than a large volume of repetitive documents.

Can You Write My Parent Statement?

Yes. Parent Statement Preparation is available as a standalone service or as part of the enhanced evidence package.

Can You Prepare My Child’s Views?

We can help structure the child or young person’s views where this is appropriate and agreed.

Can You Obtain Reports From the School?

Parents will normally need to request records directly from the school or local authority.

We can identify the types of records that may be relevant.

Can You Review a Tribunal Bundle?

Yes, subject to the size of the bundle, deadline and agreed service scope.

Does the Evidence Package Include an Appeal Form?

No.

Appeal preparation is a separate service unless expressly included in a combined package.

Can You Guarantee the Evidence Will Secure an EHCP or Win an Appeal?

No.

We can help organise and present the evidence clearly, but the decision remains with the local authority or Tribunal.

Can I Upgrade to Tribunal Support?

Where capacity and deadlines allow, the evidence package may be incorporated into a broader tribunal-support service.

Is the Service Available Across the UK?

This page relates principally to the EHCP and SEND Tribunal framework in England.

Organise Your Evidence Before the Deadline

Do not wait until an application, review or appeal deadline is approaching before trying to understand a large collection of documents.

Send us your main reports, school records and decision documents. We will help identify the strongest evidence, important gaps and the clearest way to present your child’s case.

Important Information

School of Diversity provides practical SEND guidance, evidence review, document preparation and parent advocacy support.

We cannot guarantee that a local authority or Tribunal will accept the evidence, agree to assess, issue an EHCP, amend a plan or allow an appeal.

Unless expressly confirmed otherwise, we do not act as solicitors or barristers and do not provide regulated legal representation.

Parents and young people remain responsible for forwarding correspondence promptly, checking case directions and meeting applicable deadlines.

The precise documents, evidence allowance, written outputs, responsibilities and exclusions will be recorded in the client agreement.