What is an EHCP? Overview for parents and carers

Before an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)

Before an EHCP is requested, children and young people should receive support from their school through a graduated approach. This means that help is:

put in place early
tailored to your child’s needs
reviewed regularly to see what is working

Most children with SEN are supported successfully in school without an EHCP. For a smaller number of children with more complex or long-term needs, an EHCP may be the right next step.

Ordinarily Available Provision (OAP)

All schools must support children who need extra help as part of their everyday practice. This is known as Ordinarily Available Provision (OAP).

OAP means support that is available to any pupil who needs it, without needing an EHC Plan.

Schools do this by:

adapting teaching and the learning environment
using approaches that support different learning needs
promoting positive relationships, wellbeing and confidence
working in partnership with parents and carers
monitoring progress and making changes when needed

This is part of every school’s legal responsibility and forms the foundation of SEND support.

The Graduated Approach

If a child needs more help than OAP on its own can provide, the school will offer SEN Support. SEN Support means your child will receive additional, personalised help so they can learn, join in, and make progress. At this point, the school will also add your child to the SEND register. This means their needs are formally recognised, and support will be planned and reviewed.

At SEN Support, you should expect:

regular discussions about your child’s progress and support
agreed goals and strategies
regular reviews to see what is working and what may need to change
your child’s views to be included
involvement of specialist services if appropriate to help understand and meet your child’s needs

Most children with SEND make good progress with SEN Support in school. Only a very small number will need an EHC Plan.

What is an EHCP?

An EHCP is a legal document for children and young people aged 0–25 who need more support than a school or college can provide through SEN Support alone.

An EHCP:

sets out your child’s strengths, needs and outcomes
explains the support they must receive from education, health and/or care services
makes sure different professionals work together
gives your child’s and your family’s views a central role

The purpose of an EHCP is to ensure your child gets the joined-up support they need so they can learn, be included and prepare for their future. Only a small percentage of children and young people will need an EHCP.

When might an EHC needs assessment be considered?

An Education, Health and Care needs assessment may be considered if a child:

has significant and long-term needs, and
has already received strong SEN Support over time, and
still needs more help than the school can provide on its own

Only a very small number of children and young people require an EHC Plan.

An EHC Plan is not the starting point. Support begins with OAP and SEN Support.

Key message for parents and carers

Many children make good progress with SEN Support, and a smaller number will need an EHC Plan. If an EHC Plan may be needed, the school and local authority will explore this with you to make sure your child gets the right support.

Schools should:

identify needs early
adapt support and teaching
review progress regularly and make changes as needed
involve specialist services when appropriate
work in partnership with you
listen to your child’s views and experiences

You can request a meeting with the school’s SENCO if you:

have questions about your child’s support
feel it would be helpful to review how things are going
want to discuss needs and next steps