What is an EHCP? Overview for professionals

Support prior to an education, health and care plan (EHCP) 

Before an EHCP is requested, schools and settings are required to implement the graduated approach. This ensures that support is identified early, tailored to the child or young person’s individual needs, and reviewed regularly to monitor impact. 

The majority of children and young people with SEND are effectively supported through high-quality teaching, ordinarily available provision (OAP), and SEN support. A smaller cohort with more complex and long-term needs may require an EHCP to secure additional, legally mandated support across education, health and/or care. 

Ordinarily available provision (OAP) 

OAP refers to the support that all mainstream schools and settings are expected to provide as part of their core offer for children and young people with additional needs, without the need for an EHCP. 

This includes: 

• high-quality, adaptive teaching
• inclusive classroom practice
• a supportive school ethos that promotes wellbeing and participation
• reasonable adjustments in line with statutory duties (SEND Code of Practice, Equality Act)
• ongoing communication with parents and carers
• monitoring of progress and responsive adjustments to provision 

OAP is a statutory expectation and forms the foundation of SEND provision within mainstream settings. 

SEN support: the graduated approach 

Where a child requires support beyond OAP, they should be placed at SEN support in line with the graduated approach. 

This involves: 

• identifying and assessing needs
• developing a personalised support plan with clear outcomes
• implementing targeted interventions and strategies
• reviewing provision regularly and adjusting as required 

At this stage, the pupil is recorded on the SEND register, and the school should work in partnership with the family and the child or young person. Where appropriate, specialist advice may be sought (e.g., educational psychology, speech and language therapy, health services). 

Most children and young people will make expected progress with effective, evidence-informed SEN support, and will not require an EHCP. 

What is an education, health and care plan? 

An EHCP is a statutory document for children and young people aged 0–25 whose needs cannot be met through SEN support alone. 

An EHCP: 

• identifies the child or young person’s strengths, needs and aspirations
• specifies and quantifies the support and provision required
• ensures coordination across education, health and care partners
• sets outcomes focused on progress, participation and preparation for adulthood 

Only a small percentage of children and young people require an EHCP. 

When to consider an EHC needs assessment 

An EHC needs assessment may be appropriate where: 

• needs are significant, complex and long-term, and
• the setting has implemented and reviewed robust SEN Support over time, and
• the child or young person continues to make limited progress or requires support beyond what the setting can reasonably provide 

A request may be made by the education setting, the parent/carer, or the young person (16+). 

It remains essential that evidence from the graduated approach clearly demonstrates the level of need and provision already in place. 

Where parents or carers request a discussion about support or potential next steps, they should be directed to meet with the school SENCO in the first instance.