What an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is
An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is a person-centred plan that puts children, young people and families at the very centre of the assessment and planning process. This makes sure that your views are heard and understood to increase your choice and control. This process focuses on what is important for children and young people, what they want to achieve now and in the future.
Every EHCP is personalised to meet the needs and outcomes for each child or young person.
Who it's for
An EHCP is for children and young people who have complex Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). It's available from birth to the age of 25.
Statutory guidance states that and EHCP should be issued when the local authority decides that the special educational needs of the child cannot be reasonably provided for within the resources available to mainstream education settings.
The SEND Code of Practice (2015), section 9.53 states:
"Where, in the light of an EHC needs assessment, it is necessary for special educational provision to be made in accordance with an EHC plan, the local authority must prepare a plan."
An EHC plan can only be issued after a child or young person has gone through the process of an Education, Health and care (EHC) needs assessment.
Visit the Council for Disabled Children website to watch videos that help to explain the EHCP process and the Person Centred Connection.