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 Sections Explained (A–K): A Parent’s Guide
An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is divided into sections labelled A to K, each describing a different part of a child’s needs and support. These sections include the child’s views, their special educational needs, the support they must receive, and the school they will attend. Understanding the purpose of each section helps parents review the plan and ensure that the support described is clear and appropriate.
Key Takeaways
An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is divided into sections labelled A to K, each describing a different part of the child’s needs and support.
Section B outlines the child’s special educational needs, while Section F describes the support that must be provided.
Section I names the school or educational setting the child will attend.
The support written in Section F is legally enforceable, meaning the local authority must ensure it is delivered.
Understanding each section helps parents review the plan and ensure the support is clear and appropriate.
An EHCP can feel overwhelming when you first read it. One of the most confusing parts is that it is split into sections labelled A to K, each with a specific purpose.
This guide explains each EHCP section (A–K) in plain English, what should be included, and what parents should look out for — especially where problems commonly occur.
What are EHCP sections A–K?
Every Education, Health and Care Plan is legally structured into sections A to K. Each section covers a different part of your child’s needs, support, and arrangements.
Some sections are descriptive, while others are legally enforceable. Understanding the difference is important.
Section A: The views, wishes and feelings of the child and parents
Section A should reflect:
Your child’s views (where possible)
Your views as a parent or carer
What matters most to your family
Hopes and aspirations
This section should be personal and meaningful — not generic.
👉 While important, Section A is not legally enforceable.
Section B: Special educational needs (SEN)
Section B describes all of your child’s special educational needs.
This should include:
Learning needs
Communication needs
Sensory needs
Emotional and mental health needs
Social interaction needs
Needs should be described clearly and fully, not minimised.
👉 Section B drives Section F. If a need is missing here, support may not be provided later.
Section C: Health needs related to SEN
Section C covers health needs that:
Relate to your child’s SEN
Affect access to education
Examples might include:
Anxiety
Sleep difficulties
Medical conditions impacting learning
👉 Section C is not legally enforceable, but still important.
Section D: Social care needs related to SEN
Section D sets out any social care needs that:
Relate to SEN
Affect education or development
This may include:
Support at home
Family circumstances impacting wellbeing
👉 Like Section C, this section is not enforceable, but contributes to the overall picture.
Section E: Outcomes
Section E explains what the support is meant to achieve.
Good outcomes are:
Specific
Realistic
Focused on independence and wellbeing
Linked directly to needs
Outcomes should describe change, not just maintenance.
Section F: Special educational provision (the most important section)
Section F is the most important part of the EHCP.
It must:
Clearly specify what support is provided
Say how often and for how long
Avoid vague language (e.g. “access to”, “opportunities for”)
Examples of weak wording:
“As required”
“Regular support”
“When appropriate”
👉 Section F is legally enforceable.
If it is vague, support cannot be enforced.
Section G: Health provision
Section G describes any health provision required as a result of health needs in Section C.
This might include:
Therapy
Medical input
Specialist support
👉 Section G may be enforceable in some circumstances, but often sits outside education law.
Section H: Social care provision
Section H is split into two parts:
Section H1
Social care provision under the Children Act
Section H2
Other social care provision
👉 These sections may be enforceable through social care law rather than education law.
Section I: Placement
Section I names:
The school or setting your child will attend
Or the type of placement
Parents have the right to:
Request a school
Express a preference
Appeal placement decisions
Section J: Personal budget (if applicable)
Section J explains:
Whether a personal budget is in place
How it will be used
Who manages it
Not all EHCPs include a personal budget.
Section K: Advice and information
Section K lists all reports and evidence used to create the EHCP, such as:
Educational psychologist reports
School advice
Health or therapy reports
Parent views
Parents should ensure:
All submitted evidence is included
Reports are accurate and complete
Which EHCP sections are legally enforceable?
The most important enforceable sections are:
Section F (educational provision)
Section I (placement)
If support is not happening as written in Section F, parents can challenge this.
Common problems parents should watch for
Needs missing from Section B
Vague wording in Section F
Outcomes that are unclear or unmeasurable
Support described in reports but not included in Section F
If it’s not written clearly in Section F, it is not guaranteed.
You are allowed to ask for changes
Parents can:
Request amendments to draft EHCPs
Challenge vague wording
Appeal sections they disagree with
Understanding the sections gives you confidence to do this.
EHCP Sections A–K: Parent FAQs
What are EHCP sections A–K?
EHCP sections A–K are the legally required parts of an Education, Health and Care Plan. Each section covers a different aspect of a child’s needs, support, or arrangements.
Which EHCP sections are legally enforceable?
The most important legally enforceable sections are Section F (special educational provision) and Section I (placement).
Why is Section F so important?
Section F sets out exactly what support must be provided. If it is vague, the support cannot be enforced.
What happens if a need is missing from Section B?
If a need is not listed in Section B, the local authority may argue that no support is required for it. This is why Section B must be complete and accurate.
Can parents ask for changes to EHCP sections?
Yes. Parents can request amendments to draft EHCPs and appeal sections they disagree with once the plan is finalised.
What should parents look out for in EHCP wording?
Parents should watch for vague language such as “access to”, “regular”, or “when needed”. Clear, specific wording is essential.
Is every section equally important?
All sections matter, but Sections B, F, and I usually have the biggest impact on daily support and outcomes.
Explore more EHCP guidance
Understanding the different sections of an EHCP can make it much easier to review your child’s plan and check whether the support is clearly described. If you would like a broader overview of the process, you can explore our complete EHCP guide for parents, which brings together all of our EHCP resources in one place.
When reviewing a plan, many parents find it helpful to look at Section F wording examples to understand how provision should be written clearly and specifically. You may also want to use our EHCP checklist for parents to check whether anything important may be missing from your child’s plan. If your child already has an EHCP, our guide to the EHCP annual review process explains how the plan should be reviewed and updated each year.