What is an EHC plan?
Education, health and care (EHC) plans are for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), who need more support than mainstream educational settings can normally provide through their special educational needs support.
An EHC plan (EHCP) is a legal document which describes a child or young person’s special educational, health and care needs. The EHCP must also describe the support required to meet those needs and the identified outcomes.
An EHCP can only be issued after a full EHC needs assessment has been carried out. This is to find out what the needs are and what provision may be required to support these needs.
EHCPs will be reviewed annually and updated at least at the end of each key stage - or every six months for EHCPs in early years settings - with new measurable targets and outcomes set to reflect progress and changes. These will be documented as amendments to the EHCP.
Planning for adulthood should be included in the EHCP from year 9, or age 14, onwards.
What is an EHCP and who is it for?