EHCP Process

An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is for children and young people up to the age of 25 who require support that is additional to, or different from, the provision that is ordinarily available through SEND Support in school.

An EHCP identifies a child or young person’s educational, health and care needs and sets out the provision required to support them in achieving positive outcomes. 

EHCPs take a person-centred approach, considering the child’s strengths, interests, aspirations and needs. They reflect the views of the child or young person, alongside those of parents, carers and professionals involved in their support. 

The purpose of an EHCP is to ensure that the right support is identified, coordinated and reviewed, enabling children and young people to make progress and achieve their potential both in education and in wider aspects of life. 

An EHCP is the formal document through which specialist provision is assessed, planned and recorded. While many children with SEND have their needs met through high-quality teaching and SEND Support in school, some children require a more intensive or coordinated level of support. In these circumstances, an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment may be requested. 

The SENDCo will be able to explain the support currently in place for your child, review the impact of that support and discuss whether an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment may be appropriate. 

Requesting an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment

Parents and carers have the right to request an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment from their local authority if they believe their child may require provision beyond that which is ordinarily available through SEND Support. 

A request may also be made by:

• Schools or educational settings

• Doctors or other health professionals 

• Health visitors

• Nursery staff or childminders

• Individuals acting on behalf of a parent or young person

If the local authority agrees to carry out an assessment, it may gather evidence from a range of sources, including:

• School reports and SEND documentation

• Educational Psychology assessments

• Occupational Therapy reports

• Speech and Language Therapy reports

• Medical advice from health professionals

• Written contributions from parents, carers and the child or young person

Following the assessment, the local authority will decide whether it is necessary to issue an EHCP. Parents and carers will be informed of this decision within the statutory timescales. 

Further Information

For full information about the Wiltshire Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment process and the support available locally, please visit the Wiltshire Local Offer: 
Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments – Wiltshire Local Offer