EHCP Application Process: A Step-by-Step Guide for First-Time Parents

If you’re reading this, you’ve likely reached a point where you know your child needs more support than their school can currently provide. Perhaps their teacher has mentioned it, or maybe you’ve been advocating for months—years even—and you’re finally ready to take the next step: applying for an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

The EHCP process can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re navigating it for the first time. The forms, the timelines, the technical language—it’s a lot. But here’s the truth: thousands of families successfully navigate this process every year, and with the right information and preparation, you can too.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of the EHCP application process, from recognizing when it’s time to apply to celebrating when that plan is finally in place. We’ll demystify the jargon, break down the timelines, and give you practical strategies to build the strongest possible application for your child.

What is an EHCP and Who Needs One?

An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is a legal document that describes a child or young person’s special educational, health, and social care needs. It explains the extra support that will be provided to meet those needs and how that support will help the child achieve their goals.

An EHCP is for children and young people aged 0-25 who have special educational needs that cannot be met through the school’s existing SEN support. The plan is designed to ensure that all the professionals working with your child—teachers, therapists, healthcare providers—are coordinated in their approach and working toward the same outcomes.

Your child might need an EHCP if

• They have significant and complex needs that require specialist support
• The school’s SEN support hasn’t led to adequate progress despite two or more cycles of intervention
• They need support from multiple services (education, health, social care) that need to be coordinated
• They require specialist equipment, resources, or a modified curriculum
• They may need specialist educational placement
• Their needs are likely to continue beyond age 16 and into further education

Step 1: Gather Your Evidence

Before you submit your EHCP request, you need to build a comprehensive picture of your child’s needs and the support they’ve received so far. This evidence will form the foundation of your application.

What Evidence Do You Need?

Essential Evidence:

• School Records: Reports from teachers, Individual Education Plans (IEPs), SEN Support Plans, progress reports, and any evidence of interventions tried
• Professional Assessments: Educational psychology reports, speech and language therapy assessments, occupational therapy reports, medical reports from pediatricians or specialists
• Your Own Records: A parent statement describing your child’s needs, their impact on daily life, and what support you believe they need. This is incredibly powerful—you know your child best!
• Supporting Evidence: Incident logs, behavior tracking, work samples showing the gap between your child’s ability and their peers

This is where Tediverse becomes invaluable. Our Daily Tracking Suite allows you to log behaviors, meltdowns, sleep patterns, and emotional regulation over time. This creates a data-driven picture of your child’s needs that can strengthen your application significantly. Schools and local authorities respond well to concrete evidence, and Tediverse helps you provide exactly that.

Step 2: Submit Your Request

Once you’ve gathered your evidence, it’s time to submit your request for an EHC needs assessment. You can do this yourself as a parent, or the school can do it on your behalf. However, many parents choose to submit the request themselves to ensure it’s done properly and promptly.

How to Submit Your Request

Submission Steps:

1. Find Your Local Authority’s SEN Team: Every local authority has a dedicated SEN team. Find their contact details on your council’s website.
2. Write Your Request Letter: This should be a formal letter requesting an EHC needs assessment. Include your child’s details, a summary of their needs, and why you believe an EHCP is necessary.
3. Attach Your Evidence: Include all the evidence you’ve gathered—school reports, professional assessments, and your parent statement.
4. Submit and Keep Records: Send your request via email (with read receipt) or registered post. Keep copies of everything you send.
5. Request Acknowledgment: The local authority must acknowledge your request within 15 working days and tell you whether they will proceed with the assessment.

Step 3: The Assessment Process

If the local authority agrees to assess your child (and they should if you’ve provided strong evidence), they have 16 weeks to complete the entire process from the date they agreed to assess to the date the final EHCP is issued.

What Happens During Assessment?

Assessment Timeline:

• Weeks 1-6: The local authority gathers advice from professionals. They’ll contact your child’s school, any therapists they work with, educational psychologists, and medical professionals. You’ll also be asked to provide a parent contribution.
• Weeks 7-12: The local authority reviews all the evidence and decides whether to issue an EHCP. If they decide not to issue a plan, they must tell you why, and you have the right to appeal.
• Weeks 13-14: If they decide to issue a plan, they’ll send you a draft EHCP for your review and comments.
• Weeks 15-16: The final EHCP is issued, incorporating any agreed changes from your feedback.

Important Note: These timelines are legal requirements, but many local authorities struggle to meet them due to high demand and limited resources. If your local authority misses these deadlines, you have grounds to complain through their official complaints process.

Step 4: Review the Draft EHCP

When you receive the draft EHCP, read it carefully. This is your opportunity to ensure the plan accurately reflects your child’s needs and specifies the right support.

What to Check in Your Draft EHCP

• Section B (Special Educational Needs): Does it accurately describe your child’s needs?
• Section F (Special Educational Provision): Is the support specific, measurable, and sufficient? Vague statements like “access to small group work” are not good enough.
• Section H (Health Needs): Are all health needs and required health provision clearly stated?
• Section I (Named School): Is the right school named, or is it left blank (which you can challenge)?
• Outcomes: Are they meaningful and ambitious for your child?

If anything is missing or incorrect, you have 15 days to request changes. Be specific about what you want amended and why.

Step 5: Final EHCP and Implementation

Once any amendments are agreed upon, the local authority will issue the final EHCP. This is a legally binding document, which means the school and local authority must provide the support specified in the plan.

The school will then begin implementing the provisions in the EHCP. You should see the interventions, therapies, and support outlined in Section F being put in place. If they’re not, you have the right to challenge this.

Annual Reviews

Your child’s EHCP must be reviewed every year (and at key transition points like moving from primary to secondary school). The annual review is an opportunity to assess whether the plan is still meeting your child’s needs and whether any changes are needed. You can read more about this in our guide on Understanding EHCPs.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Challenge 1: Local Authority Refuses to Assess

If the local authority refuses to carry out an EHC needs assessment, they must provide clear reasons why. If you disagree with their decision, you have the right to appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (SEND). You can also request mediation, though this is optional for refusal to assess cases.

Challenge 2: Missed Deadlines

If your local authority misses the 16-week deadline, document this and raise it through their complaints process. You can also contact your local councillor or MP for support.

Challenge 3: Vague or Insufficient Provision

Many draft EHCPs contain vague statements like “access to support” or “small group work as needed.” This is not good enough. Provision should be specific (e.g., “30 minutes of 1:1 speech and language therapy per week, delivered by a qualified SALT”). Challenge any vague language during the draft consultation period.

How Tediverse Supports Your EHCP Journey

Navigating the EHCP process requires organization, evidence, and persistence. Tediverse is designed to support you at every stage:

Tediverse EHCP Support Features

• Evidence Tracking: Use our Daily Tracking Suite to document behaviors, incidents, and patterns over time. This creates a data-driven picture of your child’s needs.
• Document Organization: Store all your child’s reports, assessments, and correspondence in one secure place.
• Parent Statement Builder: Use our templates and guides to write a compelling parent contribution that truly captures your child’s needs and your family’s experience.
• Progress Monitoring: Track how interventions are working and gather evidence for annual reviews.
• Care Circle Coordination: Invite professionals into your Tediverse network to ensure everyone is aligned on your child’s needs and progress.

Final Thoughts: You Are Your Child’s Best Advocate

The EHCP process can feel daunting, but remember: you know your child better than anyone else. Your observations, your data, your persistence—these are the most powerful tools you have.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions, challenge decisions, and push for the support your child deserves. The system can be bureaucratic and slow, but it exists to protect your child’s rights to an appropriate education.

With the right preparation, evidence, and support network, you can navigate this process successfully. And when that final EHCP is in place, you’ll have a powerful tool to ensure your child gets the education and support they need to thrive.

Related Resources

• What Makes a Strong EHCP Application: Evidence That Works
• Common EHCP Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
• SEN Support vs EHCP: Which Does Your Child Need?
• EHCP Annual Reviews: How to Prepare and What to Expect