Free EHCP Request Letter Template
A parent-friendly template to help you formally request an Education, Health and Care needs assessment for your child — based on the Children and Families Act 2014.
Get the free template →📄 What's in the template
- Correct legal subject line (Section 36 of the Children and Families Act 2014)
- Fill-in-the-blanks format — no guesswork
- Section for your child's specific difficulties, with example prompts
- Section documenting what support has already been tried
- How to evidence why an EHCP is needed
- Checklist of supporting documents to enclose
- The usual 6-week response deadline, with a reminder to check exceptions
- Practical prompts in plain English
- What to do if the LA says no
Why your letter matters
A formal EHC needs-assessment request triggers a legal process. The local authority must usually decide whether to assess within 6 weeks, subject to statutory exceptions.
A clear, specific request helps the local authority understand the needs, support already tried, and evidence it should consider. The legal test still applies and no template can guarantee a decision.
You don't need a solicitor to write it. You do need the right structure — which is exactly what this template gives you.
[Your Address]
[Date]
To: The SEN Team, [Local Authority]
RE: Request for an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Needs Assessment — [Child's Name], DOB [DD/MM/YYYY]
I am writing to formally request that [Local Authority] carries out an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Needs Assessment for my child, under Section 36 of the Children and Families Act 2014...
Section 1: About My Child
Section 2: Description of My Child's Needs
Section 3: What Has Already Been Tried
Section 4: Why an EHCP is Needed...
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📚 Related EHCP guides
Full EHCP Application Guide (Kent)
Step-by-step walkthrough of the entire EHC needs assessment process.
Read guide →EHCP Checklist
Use this checklist to check your child's EHCP before you sign off — Section F is legally binding.
Read guide →EHCP Appeal Guide
If the local authority refuses, learn the appeal deadline, mediation-certificate rule and how to prepare relevant evidence.
Read guide →🔍 Need professional support?
Independent professional reports can strengthen your case. Find specialists in our Kent directory: