What do I need to think about when I get a draft Education Health and Care Plan?
The information in this section applies if you have received your draft EHC plan following an EHC Assessment or received a draft plan following an annual review or reassessment.
An EHC plan is a legal document which should clearly specify your child/young person’s special educational needs, the outcomes expected and the special educational provision your child/young person needs. The plan should, where possible, specify and quantify the special educational provision to be provided.
Why EHC plans must be specific and clear (ipsea.org.uk)
Draft EHC plan following assessment or reassessment
If you receive a draft EHC Plan after an assessment or reassessment, you should also receive copies of all the reports used to make decisions about your child or young person's needs. These are often called Section K reports.
Read through the draft plan and check that:
- All of your child or young person's special educational needs listed in the reports are included in Section B.
- All of the support recommended in the reports is included in Section F.
This will help you make sure the plan fully describes your child or young person's needs and the support they should receive.
Draft EHC plan following annual review
If you receive a draft EHC Plan after an annual review, you should also receive copies of the reports used at the review and the annual review form completed during the meeting.
Check the draft plan carefully to make sure any changes you asked for at the annual review have been included.
You may also want to look through the reports to check that any changes to your child or young person's needs or support are clearly shown in the plan.
This will help make sure the EHC Plan reflects your child or young person's current needs and the support they require.
Looking through the draft EHC plan.
All EHC Plans must contain certain sections. When you receive a draft plan, it is a good idea to check it alongside the reports you have been sent. This will help you make sure the plan includes all of your child or young person's needs and the support they require.
Section A: Views, Wishes and Goals
This section includes your child or young person's views, interests and hopes for the future, as well as your views as their parent or carer.
Check that the information is accurate and up to date.
Section B: Special Educational Needs (SEN)
This section should describe all of your child or young person's special educational needs.
Check the reports to make sure every need that has been identified is included in this section.
Section C: Health Needs
This section should include any health needs linked to your child or young person's special educational needs.
Check that the information is correct, up to date and includes any important details from the reports.
Section D: Social Care Needs
This section should describe any social care needs linked to your child or young person's special educational needs or disability.
Check that any relevant information from social care assessments or reports has been included.
Section E: Outcomes
This section sets out the goals your child or young person is working towards.
Ask yourself:
- Are these goals still right for my child?
You may find the information, links and documents below helpful.
They can help you understand:
- What to do when you receive a draft EHC Plan.
- What should be included in each section of an EHC Plan.
- How to check that the plan accurately describes your child or young person's needs and support.
Getting an EHC draft plan | Contact
Drafting your child's Education, Health and Care Plan | Guide Dogs
Template letter 3: responding to a draft EHC plan (ipsea.org.uk)
