Master Guide
The Complete Guide to Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCP)
If you're worried that your child isn't getting the support they need in school, you're not alone. For many families, understanding Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) can feel overwhelming, especially when terms like EHCP, SEN Support, and Local Authority assessments start appearing in conversations.
What is an EHCP?
Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive. An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) helps make that possible by clearly setting out a child's strengths, needs, aspirations and the support required to help them succeed.
Designed for children and young people with more complex special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), an EHCP brings together input from families, education professionals, health services and social care teams to create a joined-up package of support tailored to the individual.
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Week 1
Initial Request
A parent, school, or young person makes a formal request to the Local Authority (LA) for an EHC needs assessment. This is the starting gun for the legal process.
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Weeks 1 - 6
Decision to Assess
A parent, school, or young person makes a formal request to the Local Authority (LA) for an EHC needs assessment. This is the starting gun for the legal process.
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Weeks 6 - 12
The Assessment Phase
If the LA agrees to assess, they gather professional advice from education, health, and care specialists. This builds the "evidence base" for the child's specific needs.
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Weeks 12 - 16
Issuing the Draft
The LA decides if a plan is required. If so, they issue a Draft EHCP. This is a critical window for parents and professionals to review and request changes to "Section F" (the support section).
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Weeks 16 - 20
The Final EHCP
The LA consults with schools to secure a placement. The Final EHCP is issued by Week 20, legally locking in the support and naming the specific school or college.
Getting Started: Request & Assessment
Taking the first step towards an EHCP can feel daunting, but you don't have to navigate the process alone. If you feel your child needs additional support to access, engage in or progress through their education, you can ask your local authority to carry out an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment.
The purpose of the assessment is to build a clear picture of your child's strengths, challenges and support needs. It looks at how their needs affect their learning and whether they require provision beyond what is typically available through a school's SEND support offer.
Who can request an assessment?
A request can be made by:
A parent or carer
A young person aged 16–25
A school, college or nursery
A health or care professional involved in the child's support
Many families choose to work alongside their child's school or SENCO when making a request, as they can help gather evidence and provide information about the support already in place.
EHCP Frequently Asked Questions
We know that navigating SEND support can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when you're trying to make the best decisions for your child. That's why we've pulled together answers to some of the most common questions about EHCPs.
From understanding eligibility and timescales to knowing what to expect at each stage, our FAQs are here to help you take the next step with confidence.
Does my child need a diagnosis to get an EHCP?
No. A child does not need a formal diagnosis to be considered for an EHCP. What matters is whether they have special educational needs that require support beyond what their school can normally provide. Evidence from teachers, health professionals and your own experiences as a parent can all help build a picture of your child's needs.
How long does the EHCP process take?
Once an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment has been requested, the process can take up to 20 weeks from start to finish. While waiting can be frustrating, this time allows professionals to gather information and ensure the right support is identified. Staying in regular contact with your child's school and local authority can help you feel informed throughout the process.
What if my request for an EHCP is turned down?
A refusal doesn't always mean the end of the journey. If your local authority decides not to carry out an assessment, or not to issue an EHCP, they should explain why. You have the right to challenge the decision, seek independent advice and, where appropriate, appeal. Many families successfully secure support after providing additional evidence about their child's needs.
Can my child attend a mainstream school with an EHCP?
Absolutely. Many children and young people with EHCPs thrive in mainstream schools when the right support is in place. The purpose of an EHCP is to identify the provision needed to help a child access learning and achieve positive outcomes, whether that's in a mainstream or specialist setting.
How can I best support my child during the EHCP process?
You know your child better than anyone, which makes your voice incredibly important. Keep records of meetings, reports and communications, share examples of both strengths and challenges, and don't be afraid to ask questions. Most importantly, remember that the process is about understanding what your child needs to flourish, not focusing solely on the difficulties they face.
How Can Keys Education Services Support My Child?
Every child’s journey is different, which is why we offer a range of specialist education options designed to meet a variety of needs. Whether your child would benefit from a structured specialist school environment or targeted support through one of our inclusion pathways, our focus is always on helping them feel safe, valued and ready to succeed.
Our teams work closely with families, local authorities and professionals to understand each child's strengths, needs and aspirations, creating personalised support that helps them build confidence, re-engage with learning and achieve positive outcomes.
My Child Has an EHCP – Could a Keys SEND School Be Right for Them?
Keys SEND schools provide specialist educational environments for children and young people with a range of additional needs, including autism, social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH), communication difficulties and associated learning needs.
Our schools offer smaller class sizes, specialist staff and tailored approaches to learning, helping pupils access education in a way that works for them. Where named within an EHCP, our schools can provide the support and provision identified within a child's plan, while encouraging independence, achievement and personal growth.
What Are Inclusion Pathways?
Our Inclusion Pathways are designed to help children and young people who may be struggling in mainstream education, are at risk of exclusion, or need additional support to re-engage with learning.
Through personalised programmes, therapeutic support and flexible educational approaches, we help pupils build confidence, develop resilience and overcome barriers to learning. The goal is always to support positive outcomes, whether that's remaining in mainstream education, transitioning to specialist provision, or preparing for the next stage of education.
How Do I Find Out Which Keys Setting Might Be Best for My Child?
The best starting point is a conversation. Our experienced teams can work with families, local authorities and professionals to understand your child's individual needs and discuss the support available across our schools and services.
Because no two children are the same, we take a person-centred approach, focusing on finding the environment where your child can feel supported, make progress and fulfil their potential.
Our Advice
Don't wait until things reach crisis point before seeking support. If you have ongoing concerns about your child's progress, wellbeing or ability to access learning, start a conversation with their school and explore whether an EHCP assessment may be appropriate.
Remember, an assessment isn't about applying a label to your child—it's about understanding what support will help them achieve their potential and thrive in education, at home and in their community.