A calm place to begin
Start Here
The EHCP process is overwhelming — especially at the start. Tell us where you are right now, and we’ll point you to exactly what you need. Nothing more, nothing less.
Where are you right now?
Pick whichever feels closest. There’s no wrong answer.
I'm worried about my child
Something isn't right and I don't know where to start.
Open this pathwayI want to request an EHCP assessment
I'm ready to ask the council to assess my child.
Open this pathwayI'm waiting for a decision
I've made a request and I'm waiting to hear back.
Open this pathwayWe've been refused
The council has said no to an assessment or a plan.
Open this pathwayWe have an EHC plan
We have a draft or final plan — now what?
Open this pathwayWe're heading to mediation or tribunal
We're challenging a decision.
Open this pathwayI'm worried about my child
If you've noticed your child is struggling — with learning, communication, behaviour, or coping at school — and something tells you they need more support, you're in the right place. Many parents start exactly here, unsure and worried. You don't need a diagnosis or any special knowledge to begin.
What to know
- A child has Special Educational Needs (SEN) if they need more or different support than other children their age.
- Schools must use their 'best endeavours' to support children with SEN even without a formal plan — this is called SEN Support.
- An EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) is the legal document for children who need more support than SEN Support can provide.
What to do next
- Talk to your child's teacher and the school's SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) and ask for a meeting.
- Keep a simple written record of your concerns and what the school says.
- Read our plain language guide to how the SEND system works.
I want to request an EHCP assessment
You've decided to ask your local council to carry out an Education, Health and Care needs assessment. This is a real legal right — you do not need the school's permission, and you do not need to wait for the school to do it for you.
What to know
- Under Section 36 of the Children and Families Act 2014, a parent can request an EHC needs assessment directly from the local authority.
- The council must decide whether to assess within 6 weeks of your request.
- Around a third of first requests are refused — so make your request strong and back it with evidence.
What to do next
- Use our template letter to request an assessment — it is pre-structured so you include everything that matters.
- Gather your evidence: reports, school records, anything that shows your child's needs.
- Send your request in writing (email is fine) and keep a dated copy.
I'm waiting for a decision
You've made your request and now you're waiting. The waiting is hard — but the council is working to legal deadlines, and knowing those deadlines puts you back in control.
What to know
- The council must tell you within 6 weeks whether they will carry out an assessment.
- If they agree to assess, the whole process — from request to final EHC plan — must be completed within 20 weeks.
- If a deadline passes with no response, that delay is not acceptable and you can challenge it.
What to do next
- Note the date you sent your request and count forward — our deadline tracker does this for you.
- If a deadline is missed, contact the council in writing and ask for an explanation.
- If you are getting no response, our Support Directory lists free advice lines that can help.
We've been refused
If the council has refused to assess your child, or refused to issue a plan, please take a breath. A refusal is not the end. It is the council's opinion — and when parents challenge refusals at the SEND Tribunal, the great majority of decisions are overturned in the family's favour.
What to know
- You have 2 months from the date on the refusal letter to challenge it.
- Before going to tribunal you must first contact a mediation adviser, who must give you a certificate.
- In 2024-25, around 99% of SEND tribunal cases were decided in favour of families.
What to do next
- Listen to our short audio episode "If you just got a refusal letter" — it walks you through the first steps.
- Contact IPSEA or SOS!SEN — free, expert advice lines for exactly this situation.
- Don't delay — note the 2-month deadline and act within it.
We have an EHC plan
You have a draft or a final EHC plan. This is a big milestone — but the plan only works if it is specific, accurate, and actually delivered. Here's how to make sure it does its job.
What to know
- An EHCP has 11 sections (A to K). Section F — the special educational provision — is the legally enforceable part, and should be detailed, specific and quantified (type, hours and frequency of support).
- If your plan is still a draft, you have the right to ask for changes and to express a preference for a specific school (Section I).
- Once final, the plan must be reviewed at least every 12 months at an annual review.
What to do next
- Check Section F is specific and quantified — vague wording like 'access to support as needed' is not enforceable.
- If something is missing or wrong, ask for it to be amended before the plan is finalised.
- Prepare for your annual review — listen to our episode "If today is annual review day".
We're heading to mediation or tribunal
Challenging a decision — at mediation or the SEND Tribunal — is stressful, but you are not the first to do it and you do not have to do it alone. Parents win the great majority of tribunal appeals. Preparation and the right support make all the difference.
What to know
- The SEND Tribunal is independent of the council, and its decision is binding.
- Around 99% of tribunal cases are decided in favour of families.
- Strong, documented professional evidence matters far more than anything said verbally on the day.
What to do next
- Contact IPSEA or SOS!SEN as soon as possible — both offer free, specialist tribunal advice and support.
- Gather all your evidence: the EHCP, reports from professionals, anything showing your child's needs and the right placement.
- Listen to our wellbeing episodes on refusal and tribunal for calm, practical support through the process.
Or — jump straight to a specific problem
If something specific has gone wrong, pick the one that matches your situation and we’ll take you straight to the answer.
“My child can't face going to school”
Take me there“The council won't assess my child”
Take me there“I've just had a refusal letter”
Take me there“My EHCP says vague things like 'support as needed'”
Take me there“The school isn't doing what the EHCP says”
Take me there“A council deadline has passed and nothing has happened”
Take me there“The council named a different school from the one we wanted”
Take me there“We have a mediation or tribunal coming up”
Take me thereStill not sure? Our free Support Directory lists expert helplines who will talk it through with you.
Not sure which one fits? That’s completely normal. Start with our plain language guide to the EHCP process, or reach out to a free advice line in our Support Directory — they will help you work out where you are.
Every legal point on this page is explained in full, with links to the law, on our EHCP Did You Know page.