SEN & EHCP FAQ: Essential UK Parent Guide 2025

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:

Parent-led application: Write to your local authority requesting an EHC needs assessment
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, broken down as:

6 weeks: Local authority decides whether to assess
6 weeks: Information gathering from professionals
10 weeks: Assessment and decision on issuing an EHCP

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: Child’s details
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 by writing to your local authority. They must respond within 8 weeks. If they refuse, you can appeal 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. It’s required before most EHCP appeals to the Tribunal.

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 should include a transition plan (Section I) 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 and connect with other parents in our community.