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SEN support and Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans in England

How special educational needs (SEN) support works in English schools, when a child or young person might need an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, and how to ask for one.

Sample content. This prototype article summarises official UK sources listed at the end of the page. It is information, not legal or medical advice, and what you are entitled to depends on your circumstances.

Jurisdiction
England
Date last checked
10 June 2026
Date last updated
10 June 2026
Next review due
10 December 2026
Article version
1.0
Review status
Review status: Published and checked

Overview

Special educational needs (SEN) support is help given by a mainstream nursery, school or college using its own resources, without needing a formal plan. It should be recorded in a support plan and reviewed regularly with parents and, where appropriate, the child or young person.

An Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan is a legal document for children and young people aged 0 to 25 whose needs cannot be met through SEN support alone. It sets out the education, health and social care provision a local authority must arrange.

The law behind this is the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice 0 to 25, which applies in England only. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have separate systems described in other articles.

Every school must have a SEN Co-ordinator (SENCO) who oversees support and works with families.

Common barriers people describe

  • Long waits for an EHC needs assessment or for the plan itself, despite statutory time limits.
  • Schools saying a child is 'not bad enough' for extra support before a formal assessment has even been requested.
  • Parents and young people not being told they can request an assessment themselves.
  • Poor communication between education, health and social care when a plan should join up all three.
  • Annual reviews happening late or without genuine input from the child or young person.

Practical support

  • Ask the school's SENCO for a meeting if you think your child needs more than ordinary classroom adjustments.
  • Anyone can ask the local authority for an EHC needs assessment: a parent, a young person aged over 16, or a school or college with parental/young person's agreement.
  • The local authority must decide within 6 weeks whether to carry out an assessment, and the whole process from request to a final EHC plan should normally take no more than 20 weeks.
  • IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) and SOS!SEN offer free, independent advice on the legal process, including template letters.
  • Every local authority must publish a 'local offer' describing services available for children and young people with SEN or disabilities.

Your rights

  • If the local authority refuses to assess, refuses to issue a plan, or you disagree with its content, you have a right of appeal to the SEND Tribunal, which is free to use.
  • You can ask for mediation before appealing, and for health and social care elements there are separate disagreement resolution routes, but mediation is not compulsory before a tribunal appeal (except for placement/naming-of-school disputes where you must first consider it).
  • An EHC plan must be reviewed at least once a year, and more often for children under 5.
  • Local authorities must have 'due regard' to the views, wishes and feelings of the child or young person and their parents throughout the process.
  • Children with SEN, whether or not they have a plan, are also protected from discrimination under the Equality Act 2010 if they meet the disability definition.

Possible benefits and financial support

These are things you may want to check. Nothing here is a decision, and entitlement always depends on your circumstances.

  • Disability Living Allowance for children may be available regardless of whether a child has an EHC plan.
  • Some children may be entitled to free school transport if they cannot reasonably walk to their nearest suitable school because of a disability or mobility need.
  • Short breaks services, arranged by local authorities, can provide activities and respite for disabled children and their families.

Workplace adjustments to consider

    Education adjustments to consider

    • SEN support should follow an 'assess, plan, do, review' cycle set out in the SEND Code of Practice.
    • An EHC plan names the school or setting and legally requires it, and any other body named in the plan, to deliver the provision specified.
    • Young people aged 16 to 25 in further education can also have an EHC plan, and it can support preparation for adulthood, including employment and independent living.
    • Personal budgets can let families take more control over some of the support arranged through an EHC plan.

    Getting healthcare that works for you

    • Health provision named in an EHC plan, such as speech and language therapy or occupational therapy, is legally binding on the NHS body responsible.
    • Parents and young people should be involved in agreeing the health outcomes in the plan, not just the education ones.

    Related rights topics

    Sources

    Every fact on this page comes from the sources below. Follow the links for the full, official version.

    Update history

    • Version 1.0 — 10 June 2026

      First published sample article covering SEN support and EHC plans in England.

      Approved by: Editorial reviewer (sample)

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