Annual reviews

An Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) review is designed to actively monitor children and young people’s progress. It rewards the outcomes and long term aspirations set out in their EHCP.

Reviews are designed to be undertaken in partnership the child and their parent or the young person and must take the child or young person's wishes and feelings, including their right to request a personal budget into account.

The annual review process must be completed within 12 months of either the date that the:

  • EHCP was first issued
  • last annual review was completed

Before the review meeting

The school, college or setting will:

  • contact the child or young person and their family to set a date and time for the annual review meeting
  • gather reports
  • speak to the child or young person to collect information about:
    • the progress that's been made since the last review
    • their goals and aspirations for the future

A copy of the information collected will be sent to the child or young person, their parents and anyone else who is due to attend the meeting at least 2 weeks in advance.

At the review meeting

The review meeting will look at:

  • the progress that the child or young person is making towards the outcomes identified in their EHCP
  • whether there are any changes to the child or young person’s needs
  • how the provision is working and where the strategies and interventions are still appropriate
  • whether the outcomes are still relevant to supporting the child or young person to achieve their aspirations

After the review meeting

The school, college or setting will send a report to everyone that attended the review meeting within 2 weeks of the meeting taking place. The report will include recommendations for any amendments to the EHCP.

The local authority will consider the report and make a decision about what happens next. One of the following decisions will be made:

  • no change, maintain plan: the EHCP will remain in place
  • amend EHCP: the local authority will arrange to amend the EHCP as soon as possible
  • reassessment: the local authority will arrange to start a reassessment as soon as possible
  • cease: the review documentation will include details of transition arrangements to whatever the young person is doing next

Our decision

A letter will be sent to the child or young person and their family to advise them about the local authority's decision. If you disagree with the decision, you can:

  • ask for a meeting to discuss this
  • ask for mediation
  • appeal to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal

Find out more about what to do if you disagree with a decision.

Key stage transfers

If the child or young person is in a transition year group and has an agreed EHCP, it must be reviewed and updated by the following deadlines:

Stage that the child or young person is moving to Deadline for the review meeting Deadline for the final plan
Reception The autumn term of the pre-school year 15 February
Year 7 The spring or summer term of year 5, or within 12 months of the previous review 15 February
Post-16 The autumn term of year 11 31 March

Preparation for Adulthood

Annual Reviews from Year 9, age 13 to 14, onwards focus on Preparation for Adulthood. There are 4 key areas:

  • employment, education and training
  • independent living
  • community inclusion, friends and relationships
  • health

Preparing for adulthood is everyone’s responsibility. You, your parent or carer, or another person who knows you well can help. Staff in schools and colleges, health, care, community services and the voluntary sector can help you.

An important part of preparing for adulthood is making your hopes and views heard. you can use the Planning My Future booklet by NDTi to capture your thoughts.

You can also read more about education and training support for Post-16 pupils with special educational needs.

Advice and support

If you have questions or need help with the annual review process, you can contact your EHCP Co-ordinator.

You can find more information to support with the annual review process and annual review meetings on the following websites:

You can also get support from the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS).