Education, health and care (EHC) needs assessments and plans
Contents
- EHC assessments explained
- Education, health and care plans (EHCP) explained
- How young people, parents and carers can apply for an EHC assessment
- Stay informed: Children and Families Support Gateway
- How schools and education settings can request an EHC needs assessment
- The EHC needs assessment process
- EHC personal budgets
- SEND assessment processing timescales
- Reviewing EHC plans
The EHC needs assessment process
To make informed decisions, we will consider a wide range of evidence including the nature, extent and context of your child's special educational needs.
We will also consider your child's:
- academic attainment (or developmental milestones for younger children) and rate of progress
- response and progress to the educational setting’s actions to meet their needs
- physical, emotional, and social development and health needs, with input from clinicians and other health professionals
If an EHC needs assessment has been completed for your child in the past 6 months, you cannot apply for another assessment within this period. However, if a request was declined before the assessment stage, you can request again at any point if you have further evidence to provide.
The 5 stages of the EHC needs assessment process
The EHC process takes 20 weeks and follows these key stages:
- Needs Assessment (Weeks 1-6): A multiagency panel carefully reviews the evidence provided with the request to determine whether an EHC needs assessment is required.
- Information Gathering (Weeks 6-12): If the assessment is approved, we will gather advice from professionals involved in your child’s education, health services, and social care. This may include teachers, therapists, doctors, and social workers.
- Decision on an EHC Plan (Week 12): After reviewing the assessment information, we will decide whether to issue an EHC Plan. If an EHC Plan is not needed, we will discuss other support options available through SEND Support, including providing a SEND Support plan based on information gathered.
- Draft EHC Plan (Weeks 12-16): If an EHC Plan is necessary, a draft plan will be developed, outlining the support and provision for your child. You will have the opportunity to review and provide feedback.
- Final EHC Plan (Week 20): Once we've reviewed all feedback and spoken with schools and other settings, we will issue the final EHC Plan. This plan will clearly explain the support your child will receive and confirm their educational placement.
Last updated 13 October 2025