Common EHCP Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

You’ve gathered your evidence, written your request letter, and submitted your EHCP application. You’ve done everything right—or so you think. But weeks later, you receive a rejection letter, or worse, a draft EHCP that completely misses the mark on your child’s needs.

The truth is, many EHCP applications fail not because the child doesn’t need support, but because of avoidable mistakes in how the application is prepared and presented. After speaking with hundreds of UK families and reviewing countless successful (and unsuccessful) EHCP applications, we’ve identified the most common mistakes parents make—and more importantly, how to avoid them.

This guide will walk you through the critical errors that can weaken or derail your EHCP application, giving you the knowledge to avoid them and build the strongest possible case for your child.

Mistake #1: Applying Too Early Without Building a Case

One of the most damaging mistakes parents make is rushing to submit an EHCP request before they have sufficient evidence to demonstrate that their child’s needs cannot be met through SEN support alone.

Why This Is Problematic

• Local authorities require evidence that SEN support has been tried and hasn’t worked
• You need to show a pattern of need over time, not just a snapshot
• A rejected application can make it harder to reapply later
• You may have only one strong chance to make your case

How to Avoid This Mistake

Build Your Case Before Applying:

• Document at least two cycles of SEN support intervention: Show that the school has tried specific strategies and they haven’t worked
• Track patterns over 3-6 months: Use data to demonstrate consistent needs and challenges
• Gather professional assessments: Educational psychologist, speech therapist, occupational therapist reports strengthen your case
• Demonstrate impact on education: Show how your child’s needs are preventing them from accessing the curriculum
• Show the “graduated approach” has been exhausted: Evidence of Assess-Plan-Do-Review cycles

Using Tediverse’s Daily Tracking Suite, you can systematically document behaviors, incidents, and patterns over time. This creates the longitudinal evidence base that local authorities look for when deciding whether to assess.

Mistake #2: Providing Vague or Emotional Evidence Without Data

Many parents write passionate, heartfelt letters describing their child’s struggles—but without concrete data to back up their claims, these applications often fail.

While your perspective as a parent is incredibly valuable, local authorities need objective, measurable evidence to justify the significant resources that come with an EHCP.

Instead of Saying:

“My child has lots of meltdowns and can’t cope at school.”

Say This:

“Over the past 12 weeks, my child has experienced an average of 4 significant dysregulation episodes per week, each lasting 20-45 minutes. These episodes result in removal from class, missed learning time totaling approximately 3 hours per week, and have occurred despite the implementation of sensory breaks and visual schedules as documented in their SEN support plan.”

How to Avoid This Mistake

Make Your Evidence Data-Driven:

• Track frequency: How many times per day/week does the behavior occur?
• Track duration: How long do episodes last?
• Document triggers: What circumstances lead to difficulties?
• Quantify impact: How much learning time is lost? How many lessons are disrupted?
• Show patterns: Are there specific times, subjects, or situations where needs are most evident?
• Link to professional assessments: Connect your observations to formal diagnostic criteria or professional reports

Mistake #3: Not Challenging Vague Provision in Section F

If you receive a draft EHCP, one of the biggest mistakes is accepting vague, woolly language in Section F (Special Educational Provision). Statements like “access to small group work” or “support as needed” are legally meaningless and impossible to enforce.

Section F is the most important part of your EHCP because it’s legally binding. If it’s not specific, quantified, and measurable, the school has no obligation to provide anything meaningful.

Examples of Vague vs. Specific Provision

❌ Vague (Unacceptable):

“Access to speech and language therapy support”

✅ Specific (Acceptable):

“30 minutes of individual speech and language therapy per week, delivered by a qualified speech and language therapist (HCPC registered)”

❌ Vague (Unacceptable):

“Small group work as appropriate”

✅ Specific (Acceptable):

“Daily small group (maximum 4 pupils) literacy intervention for 45 minutes, delivered by a qualified teacher or HLTA with literacy specialism”

How to Avoid This Mistake

Challenge Every Vague Statement:

• What exactly: What specific support or intervention?
• How much: How many hours/minutes per week?
• How often: Daily? Weekly? Per term?
• Delivered by whom: Qualified teacher? Specialist therapist? TA?
• In what format: 1:1? Small group (specify size)? In-class support?
• For how long: Is there a review period? When will provision be assessed?

You have 15 days from receiving the draft EHCP to request amendments. Use this time wisely. Don’t be pressured into accepting vague provision—this is your child’s legal entitlement we’re talking about.

Mistake #4: Failing to Submit a Strong Parent Contribution

During the assessment process, you’ll be asked for your “parent contribution” or “parent views.” Many parents underestimate how important this document is or submit something generic and brief.

Your parent contribution is your opportunity to paint a complete picture of your child’s needs, including how they present at home (which may be very different from school), the impact on family life, and your aspirations for your child’s future.

What Should a Strong Parent Contribution Include?

Essential Elements:

• Your child’s strengths and interests: What do they love? What motivates them?
• Detailed description of their needs: How do their difficulties manifest at home, in the community, and at school?
• Impact on daily life: Morning routines, mealtimes, sleep, social relationships, self-care
• What has/hasn’t worked: Which strategies have helped? Which haven’t?
• Impact on the family: The reality of supporting a child with complex needs
• Your aspirations and outcomes: What does success look like for your child?
• Evidence and examples: Specific incidents that illustrate needs

Don’t rush this. A strong parent contribution can be 5-10 pages long. It should be thorough, honest, and evidence-based while also capturing your child’s personality and potential.

Mistake #5: Not Understanding the 16-Week Timeline

Many parents don’t realize that once the local authority agrees to assess, they have 16 weeks to complete the entire process—from assessment to issuing the final EHCP. And within that 16 weeks, there are specific deadlines where you need to respond.

Missing these deadlines or not understanding when to engage can weaken your position and delay your child’s support.

The 16-Week Timeline Breakdown

• Weeks 0-6: Evidence gathering phase - LA contacts professionals for advice. You submit your parent contribution.
• Week 6: All advice should be gathered by week 6 (though this often slips)
• Weeks 7-12: LA reviews evidence and decides whether to issue an EHCP
• Week 12: If issuing a plan, LA must send you the draft EHCP
• Weeks 13-14: You have 15 days to comment on the draft and request changes
• Weeks 15-16: Final EHCP issued incorporating agreed amendments

How to Avoid This Mistake

• Mark all deadlines in your calendar as soon as you receive the acknowledgment letter
• Submit your parent contribution early (within the first 2-3 weeks)
• Chase professionals if they haven’t submitted their advice by week 6
• If you don’t receive the draft EHCP by week 12, chase the LA immediately
• Use your full 15 days to review the draft—don’t rush your response
• If deadlines are missed, formally complain and consider mediation or tribunal

Mistake #6: Not Seeking Independent Assessments When Needed

Sometimes, the school or LA-commissioned assessments don’t fully capture your child’s needs. Perhaps the educational psychologist observed your child on a “good day,” or the assessment was rushed. Some parents accept these incomplete assessments rather than investing in private, independent reports.

While independent assessments cost money (typically £500-£2000 depending on the specialist), they can be the difference between a rejected application and a successful EHCP—or between vague provision and specific, appropriate support.

When Should You Consider Independent Assessments?

• When LA assessments are superficial or miss key areas of need
• When you’re facing a tribunal and need stronger evidence
• When your child has co-occurring conditions that need specialist assessment
• When you need specific recommendations for provision that the LA hasn’t identified
• When you’re applying for a specialist school and need evidence of specific needs

Independent assessments carry weight because they’re conducted by specialists with no vested interest in minimizing your child’s needs or the cost of provision.

Mistake #7: Giving Up After a Rejection

If your request for an EHC needs assessment is refused, or if the LA decides not to issue an EHCP after the assessment, many parents give up. This is a critical mistake because you have clear legal rights to appeal these decisions.

The tribunal system (First-tier Tribunal SEND) is specifically designed to give families recourse when local authorities make incorrect decisions. While the process can feel daunting, the tribunal success rate for families is actually quite high—over 90% of cases that reach a hearing are found in favor of the family.

What You Can Appeal

• Refusal to carry out an EHC needs assessment
• Refusal to issue an EHCP after assessment
• The content of the EHCP (Sections B, F, H)
• The named school (Section I) or refusal to name a school
• Decisions not to amend an EHCP after annual review
• Decisions to cease to maintain an EHCP

You have 2 months from the decision date to register your appeal. Don’t let this deadline pass—it’s your legal right to challenge decisions you believe are wrong.

Mistake #8: Not Building a Support Network

Navigating the EHCP process alone is exhausting and isolating. Many parents try to do everything themselves, not realizing that there are support networks, parent forums, and communities who can provide invaluable guidance and emotional support.

Build Your Support Network

• Local parent forums: Every local authority must have a parent carer forum—find yours
• Online communities: Facebook groups, IPSEA forums, and platforms like Tediverse connect you with families going through similar experiences
• SEND advocacy organizations: IPSEA, SOSSEN, Contact provide free information and support
• Professional advocates: Consider hiring a SEND advocate or solicitor for complex cases or tribunals
• Other parents: Parents who’ve been through the process are often the most helpful—learn from their successes and mistakes

The Tediverse platform includes a Care Circle feature where you can coordinate with professionals and a community where you can connect with other UK families navigating EHCP applications. You don’t have to do this alone.

Mistake #9: Not Keeping Detailed Records

Throughout the EHCP process, you’ll have countless phone calls, meetings, emails, and documents. Many parents don’t keep organized records of these interactions, which can be devastating if you need to appeal or file a complaint.

What to Record and Keep

• All written correspondence (emails, letters) to and from the LA, school, and professionals
• Notes from every phone call including date, time, person spoken to, and what was discussed
• Notes from all meetings including who attended and key decisions made
• All versions of documents (draft EHCPs, amended versions, final version)
• All evidence you’ve submitted and when
• Timeline of events with key dates
• Any assessments, reports, or professional correspondence about your child

Create a dedicated folder (physical or digital) for all EHCP-related documents. If you end up at tribunal, this organized evidence file will be invaluable.

Mistake #10: Accepting “This Is All We Can Offer”

Perhaps the most damaging mistake is accepting inadequate provision because the local authority or school tells you “this is all we can offer” or “we don’t have the budget for more.”

Here’s the truth: The EHCP is based on your child’s needs, not the LA’s budget. This is established in law. If your child needs 10 hours of 1:1 support, the LA cannot refuse it because of cost. If your child needs a specialist school, the LA cannot deny it because of budget constraints.

Don’t let anyone tell you to lower your expectations or accept inadequate provision because of resources. Your child’s needs come first, and the law is on your side.

Final Thoughts: Knowledge Is Power

The EHCP process is complex, bureaucratic, and often adversarial. But understanding these common mistakes and how to avoid them puts you in a much stronger position.

Remember: you are your child’s best advocate. Local authorities and schools have resource constraints and competing priorities, but your priority is singular—getting your child the support they need to thrive.

Be organized, be persistent, be data-driven, and be willing to challenge decisions that don’t serve your child’s best interests. With the right preparation and support, you can navigate this process successfully.

Related Resources

• What Makes a Strong EHCP Application: Evidence That Works
• EHCP Application Guide: Complete UK Process
• Section F vs Section H: Understanding EHCP Provision Sections
• EHCP Appeals: Your Complete UK Rights and Timeline Guide