Pre-School, Secondary

What is an EHCP and can it help my child?

June 10, 2025

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An EHCP stands for an Education Health and Care Plan. This is a legal document for individuals aged between 0-25, who have a special educational need or disability (SEND) and require additional support beyond what educational institutions usually provide.

Special Educational need or Disability (SEND) Types

EHCPs are tailored for a variety of SEND types. According to the SEND Code of Practice (2015), there are 4 branches of SEND:

Sensory and/or Physical
Communication and Interaction
Cognition and Learning
Social Emotional Mental Health (SEMH)

Sensory and/or Physical

Under sensory and physical needs, children may have a visual/hearing/multisensory impairment or a physical disability.

Communication and Interaction

Children with speech, language, communication and interaction needs may have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or other needs.

Cognition and Learning

Those with cognition and learning needs may have a moderate, severe or multiple learning difficulties (LD) e.g. dyslexia, dyscalculia or dyspraxia.

Lastly, children with SEMH may need support with anxiety or depression, eating disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD or substance misuse.

It is important to note that many types of SEND are multifaceted so it is possible that childrens’ needs may fall into multiple of these categories. For example, anxiety and ASD often overlap.

Visit for further information Department for Education

What is the role of an EHCP?

This legally binding document entitles children and young people to support to meet their SEND. This may refer to a multitude of support strategies, including but not limited to:

1:1 support or a teaching assistant
Specialist equipment e.g. assistive technology or sensory tools
Specialist teaching interventions e.g. lego therapy
A place in a special school if appropriate
Access to therapy and health support e.g. speech and language or occupational therapy
Help with personal care or independent living
Transition support e.g. secondary school to college

Applying for an EHCP

To apply for an EHCP, you may contact the local authority to request an assessment- either directly or through the school SENCO, a doctor, a teacher or health visitor. If the request is granted, you may be asked for evidence including school reports, doctors notes or a letter from yourself detailing the child’s needs. The local authority will inform their decision regarding the EHCP within 16 weeks. They will then provide a draft plan to review where you can request changes and express a preference for a school. Within 20 weeks of the original request, a finalised EHCP should be issued.

Visit for further information Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND): Extra help – GOV.UK

EHCP vs IEP

Although often confused with one another, an EHCP differs from an Individual Education Plan (IEP) as this is a non-legally binding, school document. An EHCP will cover an individual’s Education, Health and Social care needs, yet an IEP will only address education needs. It is typically written by the school SENCO, whereas the EHCP is written by the local authority. With an EHCP, parents can appeal decisions and request specific schools. However, as an IEP is less formal, parents usually have limited input and inability to appeal this document. It is important to note that IEPs only exist in the U.S. In the UK, IEPs are now called SEN support plans.

SEN support in schools

For those who do not have an EHCP, SEN support may still be provided in schools to support children with SEND. It refers to personalised strategies and interventions to best support childrens’ needs. SEN support follows the Assess, Plan, Do, Review cycle:

Assess: Childrens’ needs are identified
Plan: Children, parents and teachers agree on appropriate support
Do: Support is put in place
Review: The impact of the support is reviewed regularly by teachers and parents

Similarly to the support arranged in the EHCP, SEN support gives pupils access to a range of appropriate support. This includes but is not limited to: