SEN & EHCP FAQ: Essential UK Parent Guide

Navigating Special Educational Needs (SEN) support and Education Health Care Plans (EHCP) can feel overwhelming. This comprehensive FAQ addresses the most common questions UK parents ask about SEN and EHCP processes, timelines, and rights.

What is SEN Support?

SEN Support refers to the help schools can provide to children with special educational needs without needing a formal EHCP.

What difficulties qualify as SEN?

Children may have SEN if they have learning difficulties, communication/interaction needs, social/emotional/mental health difficulties, or physical/sensory needs that make it harder for them to learn than most children of the same age.

How does SEN Support work?

SEN Support involves a graduated approach where schools:

• Assess your child’s needs
• Try different strategies and interventions
• Involve specialists like speech therapists or educational psychologists
• Monitor progress and adjust support as needed

How long does SEN Support last?

SEN Support doesn’t have a fixed time limit, but schools should regularly review whether the support is helping your child make progress.

EHCP Basics

What is an EHCP?

An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is a legal document that describes your child’s special educational needs and the support they require. It’s available for children and young people aged 0-25.

Who can apply for an EHCP?

• Parents/carers
• Schools or early years settings (with parental consent)
• Young people aged 16-25 can apply themselves
• Health professionals can suggest an assessment

When should I apply for an EHCP?

Consider applying when:

• Your child has significant special educational needs
• School-based SEN Support isn’t enough
• Your child needs support from multiple services (education, health, social care)
• You’re concerned about their long-term educational outcomes

EHCP Application Process

How do I apply for an EHCP?

You can apply in two ways:

1. Parent-led application: Write to your local authority requesting an EHC needs assessment
2. School-led application: Ask your child’s school to apply (they must have your written consent)

What information do I need for an EHCP application?

• Details of your child’s difficulties and how they affect learning
• Evidence of what support has already been tried
• Professional reports (educational psychologist, speech therapist, etc.)
• School reports and progress data
• Your own observations and records

How long does the EHCP process take?

The legal maximum timeline is 20 weeks from application to final EHCP. The key milestones are:

• By week 6: the local authority decides whether to carry out an assessment
• By week 16: if it is assessing, it gathers advice from professionals (who have 6 weeks to respond) and must tell you whether it will issue a plan, sending any draft EHCP
• By week 20: the final EHCP is issued

What happens if my EHCP application is refused?

You have the right to appeal the decision to the SEND Tribunal within 2 months. Many successful EHCPs result from appeals.

EHCP Content and Sections

What should be included in an EHCP?

A good EHCP should include:

• Section A: The views, interests and aspirations of your child and you as parents
• Section B: Child’s special educational needs
• Section C: Health needs
• Section D: Social care needs
• Section E: Outcomes
• Section F: Special educational provision
• Section G: Health provision
• Section H: Social care provision
• Section I: School placement
• Section J: Personal budget (if applicable)

What does “quantified” provision mean?

Provision should be specific and measurable, e.g.:

• “30 minutes of 1:1 speech therapy weekly” (not just “speech therapy”)
• “Access to a sensory break room for 15 minutes daily” (not just “sensory support”)

Can I request a specific school in an EHCP?

Yes, you can name a preferred school in Section I. The local authority must consider your preference, but they make the final decision based on your child’s needs and available places.

Annual Reviews and Amendments

What is an EHCP annual review?

EHCPs must be reviewed at least annually to check if the plan is still meeting your child’s needs and whether changes are required.

Who attends the annual review meeting?

Typically includes:

• Parents/carers
• Child (if appropriate)
• School SENCO and other staff
• Local authority representative
• Health and social care professionals
• Your child (for young people over 16)

How can I request amendments to an EHCP?

You can request amendments at any time, and changes are most often made through the annual review. After a review meeting, the local authority must tell you within four weeks whether it will amend the plan. If it decides to amend, it should send you the proposed changes, give you at least 15 days to comment, and issue the final amended EHCP within eight weeks of notifying you of the amendments. If it refuses to make the changes your child needs, you can appeal the relevant parts to the SEND Tribunal.

Appeals and Disputes

When can I appeal an EHCP decision?

You can appeal:

• Refusal to conduct an EHC needs assessment
• Refusal to issue an EHCP after assessment
• The content of an EHCP (provision, school placement, etc.)
• Refusal to amend an EHCP

What is mediation?

Mediation is a voluntary process where an independent mediator helps you and the local authority reach agreement. Before most EHCP appeals you must contact a mediation adviser and obtain a mediation certificate, though you can decline the mediation itself and still get the certificate. The one exception is an appeal only about the school named in Section I (or that no school is named), which needs no certificate.

How long do I have to appeal?

You must appeal within 2 months of receiving the local authority’s decision. Extensions are rarely granted.

Funding and Personal Budgets

What is a personal budget?

A personal budget gives you more control over how EHCP funding is spent. Instead of the local authority arranging services directly, you receive funding to arrange your own provision.

How do I request a personal budget?

You can request a personal budget when applying for an EHCP or at any review. The local authority must consider your request and explain their decision.

What can personal budget funding be used for?

Personal budgets can be used for:

• Specialist tuition
• Therapy services
• Equipment and technology
• Training for parents
• Transport costs
• After-school activities

Transitions

What happens when my child moves to secondary school?

Your EHCP review should include transition planning that covers:

• Preparation for the move
• Handover arrangements between schools
• Any additional support needed during transition
• Review of transport arrangements

When does EHCP transition to adult services happen?

Transition planning should start at age 14 and be completed by age 19. Adult services are arranged separately through social care or health services.

Working with Local Authorities

How can I build a good relationship with my local authority?

• Be clear and specific in communications
• Keep records of all conversations and decisions
• Understand your rights and the legal framework
• Be reasonable in your requests
• Know when to escalate if needed

What should I do if I’m not happy with my local authority’s response?

• Request a meeting to discuss your concerns
• Ask for their decision in writing
• Contact your local SENDIASS for independent advice
• Consider mediation before appealing
• Keep detailed records throughout the process

Getting Help and Support

What is SENDIASS?

SEND Information Advice and Support Service provides free, independent advice about SEN and disability for children and young people aged 0-25.

How can I find my local SENDIASS?

Search for “SENDIASS [your local authority name]” or visit the IPSEA website for contact details.

What other support is available?

• Local parent groups and support networks
• National charities like IPSEA, Contact, or NAS
• Educational psychologists and specialist teachers
• Health professionals (speech therapists, occupational therapists)
• Independent special schools and colleges

Using Tediverse for EHCP Support

How can Tediverse help with EHCP applications?

Tediverse provides tools to:

• Track and document your child’s needs and progress
• Organize professional reports and evidence
• Record communications with schools and local authorities
• Create detailed episode logs for tribunals
• Manage visual schedules and sensory support plans

What evidence should I gather using Tediverse?

Use Tediverse to document:

• Daily challenges and patterns
• Sleep and eating difficulties
• Behavior episodes and triggers
• Communication breakdowns
• Progress with different interventions
• Impact on family life and sibling relationships

How can Tediverse help during annual reviews?

Tediverse helps you:

• Track progress toward EHCP outcomes
• Gather evidence of ongoing needs
• Prepare for review meetings
• Share information securely with professionals
• Monitor the effectiveness of current provision

Remember: This FAQ provides general guidance. Every child’s situation is unique, and local authorities may have slightly different processes. Always seek personalized advice from your local SENDIASS or a specialist advisor.

For more detailed guidance, explore our comprehensive EHCP guides across the Tediverse blog.