EHCP & School  ·  3 min read

EHCPs Explained: A Parent's Plain-English Guide

What an EHCP is, who it's for, how to apply, and how a specialist report helps — explained simply for parents.

“EHCP” gets thrown around a lot once a child is struggling at school. It’s an important tool — and the process can feel daunting. Here’s the plain-English version.

General information, not legal advice. Every local authority runs its process slightly differently. Book a free call →

What an EHCP is

An Education, Health and Care Plan is a legal document for children and young people (up to age 25) whose needs can’t be met by the usual support a school provides. It sets out:

• Your child’s special educational needs
• The support they must legally receive
• The outcomes that support is aiming for

The key word is legal: unlike informal support, the provision in an EHCP has to be delivered. (Source: Children and Families Act 2014; SEND Code of Practice.)

Does my child need one?

Many children are well supported through SEN Support at school without ever needing an EHCP. An EHCP is generally for children whose needs are greater or more complex and who need support beyond what the school can provide from its own resources.

How the process works (the short version)

1. Request an assessment. A parent, or the school, asks the local authority for an “EHC needs assessment.”
2. The LA decides whether to assess (they have legal timescales).
3. Evidence is gathered — from you, school, and professionals like SLTs, OTs and psychologists.
4. The LA decides whether to issue a plan.
5. The draft plan is shared; you can respond and request changes.
6. The final plan is issued and reviewed at least yearly (Annual Review).

Where a specialist report helps

Strong, specific evidence makes a real difference to an application. Our assessment and therapy reports are written to be EHCP-ready:

• Clear description of needs
• Specific, measurable recommendations (not vague suggestions)
• Written to the standard used for applications, Annual Reviews and NHS shared care

A report that says exactly what support, how much, and how often is far more useful than one that just describes the problem.

A note on the emotional side

This process can feel adversarial, and it’s exhausting when you’re already stretched. You’re allowed to ask for help, push back on decisions, and get support from organisations like IPSEA and your local SENDIASS. You’re not being difficult — you’re advocating for your child.

Want your reports written with EHCPs in mind? Book a free call →

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Related: The assessment journey · NHS vs private assessment · Terms explained