Every step of the Education, Health and Care Plan process — from first concerns to final plan, tribunal, and annual review. Click any stage for what to do, statutory deadlines, and relevant guides.
You or the school notice your child needs more than standard SEN Support. Common triggers: failing to progress despite school support, escalating behaviour, school refusal, complex medical needs, diagnosis of autism/ADHD.
Write to Kent County Council formally requesting an EHC needs assessment under Section 36 of the Children and Families Act 2014. Anyone can request — parent, school, or young person aged 16+.
KCC has 6 weeks to decide whether to proceed with a formal assessment. They will write to you with yes or no.
If KCC agrees, they gather evidence from: school, educational psychologist (often the bottleneck), health (paediatrician, SALT, OT), social care, and you. You can submit reports from private professionals too.
KCC issues a draft plan. You have 15 days to comment, request changes, and name a school preference.
KCC issues the final plan. Section F is legally binding under Section 42 of the Children and Families Act 2014 — they must provide what it says.
If any part of the final plan is inadequate — Section B too vague, Section F unenforceable, Section I names the wrong school — you can appeal to SENDIST. 99% of parents who go to hearing win (MOJ 2024/25).
EHCPs must be formally reviewed every 12 months. The review can maintain, amend, or cease the plan. This is your chance to request more — therapy hours, additional TA support, different setting.
Use our free tools to track deadlines, generate letters, and keep KCC accountable.