What is an education, health and care plan? (ECHP)

Most children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) will have their needs met by mainstream nurseries, schools and colleges. Schools will use a Graduated Response to make sure that the child’s needs are properly identified and a plan is in place to meet them. This will be a cycle of assessing and reviewing your child’s needs and the school is expected to fully involve you in this process.

An EHC plan is for children and young people aged 0 to 25 who need additional special educational provision. It will identify educational, health and social needs and set out additional support to meet those needs.

An EHC plan is a chance to share your views about your child’s wellbeing, and their hopes and dreams for the future. The plan will highlight your child’s strengths and educational needs, provide a set of outcomes which will describe what your child can achieve. An EHC plan is legally binding and will explain in detail to an education setting what support they and other services must provide.