Getting an Education, Health and Care Plan in England

This page and information sheet is for family carers of children and young people with severe learning disabilities whose behaviour challenges living in England, and explain the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system.

Download the information sheet: Getting an Education, Health and Care Plan (England)

Quick read

The process

You can:

The Local Authority (LA) must:

Request an assessment if your child is between 0 and 25 years
Appeal if the LA says your child does not need an EHC assessment or plan
Request that the LA take advice from others, such as your child’s occupational therapist or behavioural specialist
Request a personal budget
Comment on the draft EHC plan and request a meeting to discuss it. You can request a specific school at this stage. You have 15 days to do this from when you receive the draft plan.

Ask your child about their needs and wishes
Ask you about your needs and wishes for your child
Ask your child’s school, doctors, psychologists, and social care team about your child’s needs
Ensure the educational and health support specified on the plan is delivered
Start preparing for your child becoming an adult from year 9 onwards

What should be included in the EHC plan?

The goals, views and interests of your child
Your child’s education, health and social care needs
What support is needed to help your child reach their goals. This should be specific (e.g. number of hours, setting)
How this support will be paid for (Personal Budget? Direct Payments?)
The name of your child’s school, nursery or college

Download the information sheet: Getting an Education, Health and Care Plan (England)

Getting a Statement in Wales and Northern Ireland

A Statement is a legal document that sets out your child’s special educational needs and the support your child requires to meet their needs (Statements are given in Wales and Northern Ireland). Quick read guide with a complete information sheet available to download.

Getting an EHC Plan in England (for professionals)

This webpage and information sheet contains guidelines for professionals on developing EHC plans for young people with severe learning disabilities and behaviour described as challenging, following their introduction in September 2014.

Your stories

Consult the ‘news’ section of our website to read the stories our family carers have written about their own experiences of supporting somebody with a severe learning disability whose behaviour challenges.