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.
Understanding EHCPs: A Complete Parent Guide
Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) can feel confusing, especially when you are trying to understand your child’s needs, school support, and the process involved. This guide brings together clear, parent-friendly explanations of every stage of the EHCP journey — from understanding what an EHCP is, to applying for one, reviewing the plan, and knowing what to do if something goes wrong.
This guide brings together our complete collection of EHCP resources to help parents understand every stage of the Education, Health and Care Plan process, from recognising SEND needs to applying for an assessment, reviewing a plan, and challenging decisions.
Each section below links to detailed guides designed to help parents understand the system more confidently, recognise common issues in EHCPs, and ensure their child receives the support they need.
EHCP Guides for Parents (Table of Contents)
Your comprehensive guide to Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), from understanding what they are to applying, reviewing plans, and challenging decisions.
1. Start Here: Understanding EHCPs
These guides explain the basics and how EHCPs work.
What is an EHCP?
EHCP Without a Diagnosis
EHCP Sections Explained (A–K)
EHCP Funding Explained
What Support Does an EHCP Provide?
2. EHCP for Specific Needs
These pages help parents understand how EHCPs support specific SEND conditions.
EHCP for Autism
EHCP for ADHD
EHCP for Speech and Language Needs
EHCP for Dyslexia
EHCP for SEMH
EHCP for Sensory Processing Needs
3. Understanding Support at School
Understanding the difference between school-based support and EHCP support.
SEN Support vs EHCP
4. Deciding if an EHCP Is Needed
These guides help parents determine whether their child may need an EHCP.
Signs Your Child May Need an EHCP
Do I Need an EHCP for My Child?
What Level of Need Qualifies for an EHCP
School Says My Child Doesn’t Need an EHCP – What Can I Do?
Can a School Refuse an EHCP Request?
5. Applying for an EHCP
Step-by-step guidance on requesting an EHCP.
How to Apply for an EHCP
EHCP Assessment Process Explained
What Evidence Do I Need for an EHCP?
EHCP Request Letter Template
How Long Does an EHCP Take?
6. Understanding and Reviewing an EHCP
Guidance once an EHCP has been issued.
EHCP Annual Review Explained
EHCP Checklist for Parents
EHCP Annual Review Checklist
7. Improving an EHCP
Helping parents strengthen and review their child’s plan.
Section F Wording Examples
EHCP Examples: Good vs Bad Plans
Top 10 EHCP Mistakes Parents Should Watch For
Questions to Ask at an EHCP Meeting
8. When Things Go Wrong
Support if requests are refused or support is not provided.
EHCP Refused – What to Do Next
Why Was My EHCP Refused?
EHCP Appeal Process Explained
9. EHCP Changes Over Time
Understanding how EHCPs evolve as children grow.
Can an EHCP Be Removed or Ceased?
Understanding EHCPs
What is an EHCP?
Learn what an Education, Health and Care Plan is, how it works, and what support it can provide for your child.
EHCP Without a Diagnosis
Find out whether your child can get an EHCP without a formal diagnosis and what evidence matters most.
EHCP Sections Explained (A–K)
Understand what each section of an EHCP means and how the plan should describe your child’s needs and support.
EHCP Funding Explained
Learn how EHCP funding works, who pays for support, and how schools receive funding for children with additional needs.
What Support Does an EHCP Provide?
Understand the support an EHCP can offer and how it helps children access education.
EHCP for Specific Needs
EHCP for Autism
Learn how Education, Health and Care Plans can support autistic children and what provision may be included.
EHCP for ADHD
Learn how Education, Health and Care Plans can support children with ADHD and what provision may be included.
EHCP for Speech and Language Needs
Learn how Education, Health and Care Plans can support children with speech and communication difficulties.
EHCP for Dyslexia
Learn how Education, Health and Care Plans can support children with dyslexia and what provision may be included.
EHCP for SEMH
Learn how Education, Health and Care Plans can support children with social, emotional and mental health needs.
EHCP for Sensory Processing Needs
Learn how Education, Health and Care Plans can support children with sensory differences.
Understanding Support at School
SEN Support vs EHCP: What’s the Difference?
Understand the difference between SEN support and an EHCP, and when school support alone may not meet your child’s needs.
Deciding if an EHCP is Needed
Signs Your Child May Need an EHCP
Learn the early signs that a child may require additional educational support.
Do I Need an EHCP for My Child?
Learn how to recognise the signs your child may need an EHCP and when SEN support might not be enough.
What Level of Need Qualifies for an EHCP?
Understand the threshold local authorities use when deciding whether to issue an Education, Health and Care Plan.
School Says My Child Doesn’t Need an EHCP
Understand your rights and the steps parents can take when schools disagree about additional support.
Can a School Refuse an EHCP Request?
Learn how to recognise the signs your child may need an EHCP and when SEN support might not be enough.
Applying for an EHCP
How to Apply for an EHCP
Follow a clear step-by-step guide to requesting an EHC needs assessment and starting the EHCP process.
EHCP Assessment Process Explained
Understand what happens during an EHC needs assessment, who provides reports, and how decisions are made about issuing an Education, Health and Care Plan.
What Evidence Do I Need for an EHCP?
Understand what evidence helps support an EHCP request and what information local authorities consider.
EHCP Request Letter Template for Parents
Use this simple template to request an EHC needs assessment from your local authority.
How Long Does an EHCP Take?
Learn the typical EHCP timeline, what happens at each stage, and why the process can sometimes take longer.
Understanding and Reviewing the Plan
EHCP Annual Review Explained
Learn what happens during an EHCP annual review and how parents can request changes to the plan.
EHCP Checklist for Parents
Use this practical checklist to review your child’s EHCP and identify missing support or unclear wording.
EHCP Annual Review Checklist
Prepare for your child’s annual review and ensure their EHCP continues to reflect their needs.
What Happens After an EHCP Is Issued?
Understand how schools deliver EHCP support and how plans are reviewed.
Improving an EHCP
Section F Wording Examples
See examples of strong and weak Section F wording so you can recognise clear, enforceable provision.
EHCP Examples: Good vs Bad Plans
Compare examples of well-written and poorly written EHCPs to understand what good plans should look like.
Top 10 EHCP Mistakes Parents Should Watch For
Discover the most common EHCP mistakes and how parents can spot problems before they affect support.
Questions to Ask at an EHCP Meeting
Prepare for meetings with schools and ensure your child’s EHCP reflects their needs.
When Things Go Wrong
EHCP Refused – What to Do Next
Learn why EHCP requests are refused and what steps parents can take to challenge the decision.
Why Was My EHCP Refused?
Understand the most common reasons EHCP requests are declined and what parents can do next.
EHCP Appeal Process Explained
Learn how parents can challenge EHCP decisions through mediation and the SEND Tribunal.
EHCP Lifespan and Changes
Can an EHCP Be Removed or Ceased?
Understand when an EHCP may be ceased, why local authorities make this decision, and how parents can challenge it.
