Get an EHC Plan (step by step)

We understand that getting the support you need can feel overwhelming. Use this page to understand how to get an EHC plan, using the step-by-step guide.

1. Discuss your concerns

   We suggest that you discuss your child's needs with the education setting or any professionals involved.

2. Request an EHC Needs Assessment

   To assess whether or not the child or young person will need an EHC Plan, the local authority carries out an EHC Needs Assessment. You or a young person aged 16-25 can ask the local authority to carry out an assessment. Education settings and other professionals can also do this.

3. Get the result of your request

   Before an EHC Plan can be issued, as assessment of the child or young person's needs must first be completed. This is called an EHC Plan needs assessment. When a request for an assessment is made, the local authority has to decide whether or not it will complete an assessment.

   For more about the legal test which the local authority has to apply and to find out what to do if your request for assessment is refused, see our factsheet or our pages on appeal.

4. Talk to your local authority about the specific needs of the child or young person

   'If the local authority agrees to complete an assessment, it will gather information about the child or young person in order to accurately assess their needs.

5. Approve or edit a first draft of the EHC Plan

   Once the EHC Needs Assessment is complete, your local authority will decide whether or not the child or young person needs an EHC Plan. If they do, you'll be shown a first draft of the plan to edit or approve.

   If the local authority decides not to issue a plan, please see our pages on appeal.

6. Agree the EHC Plan

   The EHC Plan is agreed by the local authority and the family. At this stage, you can ask the local authority to consult with your preferred schools or colleges. They will be sent a copy of the EHC Plan in order to see whether they can meet the needs in it. For more details about this process, please see our factsheet.

7. Final EHC Plan is issued

   The final plan is issued, confirming the school or educational setting. If you do not agree with the content of the plan or the school or setting which has been named, you may want to appeal. Please see our pages on mediation and appeal for more information.

8. Appeal

   If the local authority refuses to issue a plan or if you are unhappy with the content of the plan or educational setting or placement named in the plan, you will have the right of appeal.

   Please see our information on appeal or get in touch for more help.

9. Annual review

   Once a plan is issued it must be reviewed at least once a year for children over 5 and at least every 3 to 6 months when a child is under 5. The annual review process allows changes to the plan to be requested.

   At the end of the review process the local authority must decide whether it will make changes to the plan, keep it the same, or bring it to an end. There is a right of appeal against each of those decisions. Please see our information and resources on annual review or get in touch.