SEND IASS - Education Health and Care Plans (EHCP) factsheet

The SEND Code of Practice states that EHC Plans should:

• be based on decisions made openly, and with parents, children, and young people
• describe what the child or young person can do
• be clear, concise, understandable, and accessible
• consider how best to achieve the outcomes for the child or young person - they must consider the evidence from the EHC needs assessment
• specify clear outcomes
• consider alternative ways of providing support if a parent or young person wishes it. This could include having a personal budget
• show how education, health and care provision will be co-ordinated
• be forward looking- for example, anticipating, planning and commissioning for important transition points in a child or young person's life
• describe how informal support as well as formal support from statutory agencies can help in achieving agreed outcomes
• have a review date

There is a full list of principles and requirements in the SEND Code of Practice section 9.61.

Every EHCP must include at least 12 sections, but each local authority can decide how to set these out. These sections are:

A: The views, interests and aspirations of you and your child or the young person.

B: Your child's or young person's special educational needs.

C: Health needs related to their SEN or to a disability.

D: Social care needs related to their SEN or to a disability.

E: Planned outcomes for your child or the young person.

F: Special Educational Provision. Provision must be specified for each, and every need shown in section B.

G: Any health provision required that is related to their SEN or to a disability.

H1: Any social care provision that must be made for your child or young person under 18.

H2: Any other social care provision required that is related to their SEN or to a disability.

I: The name and type of the school, maintained nursery school, post -16 institution or other institution to be attended.

J: Details of how any personal budget will support outcomes and the provision it will be used for.

K: The advice and information gathered during the EHC needs assessment.

Where the child or young person is in or beyond Year 9, the EHCP must also include the provision required by your child or young person to help prepare for adulthood and independent living.

You can read the full list of what is included in each section in the SEND Code of Practice sections 9.62 and 9.63

You can find a detailed checklist covering each of these sections on the IPSEA website.