Free, independent guidance for families in England
Find your next step with your child’s EHCP
Understand the process, organise your evidence and find the next step for your family.
No account needed for our public guidance.
Where are you right now?
Choose the closest match. We’ll show one useful set of next steps, without asking for your child’s details.
I’m worried about my child
Start with school support and a clear written record.
- Talk to the SENCO
- Keep a written record
- Learn how the SEND system works
Free guidance. No account needed. Your choice is not saved.
Free printable worksheets
Fill them in on screen or print them for your next school meeting.
- Prepare for a meetingYour top questions, what is working, your child’s views and documents to bring.
- Log observations and supportRecord what happened, its effect and any support tried, over time.
- What matters to meYour child’s interests, strengths and how they prefer to communicate.
- Track meeting actionsEvery agreed action with an owner and a date.
What has changed, and what has not
SEND reforms 2026
A source-linked guide separating current law from proposals.
Read the reforms guideRecent SEND decisions
Plain-English summaries with links to primary sources.
Read the case summariesClear support, not legal advice
EHCP Compass CIC provides free information for families in England. We link to official sources and independent advice.
About EHCP CompassHelp us make guidance more useful
Tell us what helped and what we could improve. Share your experience privately, or give permission for others to read it.
Information you can return to
Core guidance is public. A free account is only needed when you choose to save letters, evidence or your case stage. Personalised deadline calculations and reminders are currently paused.
Prefer something printable? Open the current worksheets and guides