Education, health and care plan (EHCP)
What is an EHCP?
An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is a legally binding document in England that outlines the special educational, health, and social care needs of a child or young person aged 0 - 25.
An EHC Plan will include:
• The views, interests, and aspirations of the child or young person and their parent carers
• An outline of the child or young person’s special educational needs
• Outcomes covering education, health, and social care
• The special educational provision needed to support the child or young person
• The name and type of the current education setting
• Personal budget information, if applicable
If you think your child needs extra help, you can talk to the SENCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) at their school or nursery. They can tell you about the SEND support that’s already available (Inclusive Provision). If you still feel your child needs more help, you can ask for an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA).
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Who is it for?
An education, health and care plan is for children and young people aged 0-25 who have special educational needs and disabilities who need more support than mainstream education settings can deliver.
How do I get a plan?
Make an application
The link to make an application for an assessment is on this link:Assesment (Opens in new tab)
Page updated 19.08.25
Make an appeal
You have the right to appeal at every decision point during the education, health and care plan process, these are listed below:-
You have the right to appeal when a decision is made
- not to carry out an education, health and care assessment
- not to draw up an education, health and care plan
- not to amend the education, health and care plan
- on the contents of the education, health and care plan
- to cease maintaining an education, health and care plan
In the first instance we would always encourage you to contact the Case Officer dealing with your child’s case. They will be happy to arrange a meeting with a manager from the Assessment and Placement Service who will try and resolve the issue with you. This is referred to as a pre- mediation meeting.
Alternatively, or following a pre – mediation meeting you can use the mediation service commissioned by Havering if you are unhappy with your local authority’s decision:
You must arrange mediation within 2 months of receiving the decision. Mediation is provided free of charge by the local authority.
To arrange a mediation service, contact the local authority on the details provided within your decision letter.
If your appeal does not relate to the above or if you do not wish to take up mediation, you can make an appeal to the First Tier Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Tribunal.
You must make your appeal within 2 months of receiving the outcome of your assessment.
Make an appeal to the First Tier Tribunal. (Opens in new tab)
Page updated 19.08.25