We've heard all sorts of things about EHC plans recently - here are the facts

15 July 2025

We have heard all sorts of things about special educational needs (SEN) and EHC plans in the press recently, some by commentators seeking to score political points and using children and young person’s needs to do so. The misinformation being shared suggests they have not taken the time to understand the legal framework or speak to families, or have any lived experience or particular knowledge of SEN, but comment all the same.  

A lot of what we have heard and read has been incorrect. This isn't helpful and distracts from what the government must hear – that the issue is with non-compliance with the robust legal framework. If we are to have a valuable conversation about what change may be needed, we all have a responsibility to make sure we understand the very thing under consideration, that being the legal framework. That’s exactly why we, alongside other organisations and campaigners, have launched the Save Our Children’s Rights campaign: to make sure people understand what’s at stake if the government proceeds with plans they are considering to remove children’s legal rights or restrict EHC plans. 

At IPSEA we are used to people making all sorts of rash statements about SEN and EHC plans, but even we have been surprised by the extent of the misinformation we have seen. 

So then, to make sure we are all clear, here are just some of the things an EHC plan is not. 

An EHC plan is not.... 

• A golden ticket. 

• A document which stops other children having their needs met. 

• Available only if parents 'game the system' (yes, we weren't sure either how on earth anyone thought parents treat their children's needs as a game or that getting an education that meets a child’s needs is in any way a ‘prize’). 

• A pushy parent's chance to get the best education for their child. 

• A certificate. 

• Only for those with particular needs or those who are physically disabled. 

• A damaging label which reduces a child or young person's life chances. 

• Something you can only get once your child has received a diagnosis. 

• Issued unnecessarily. (Some people do not seem to understand what "necessary" means and would benefit from having a look at our page on it before speaking on the subject. It isn’t complicated – it just means a plan is issued if the child won’t get the support they need without one, and the meaning has not changed or been in any way widened or extended by courts or Parliament.) 

• Only available to children aged between 5 and 16 years old. 

• Only issued to children and young people in special schools. 

• A gateway to get more help for a child than the child requires. 

• How parents can ask for home to school transport (this seems to cause so many people to get in a muddle – they should check out our transport pages where we clearly explain the rules). 

• Something which places children into some sort of bucket of needs or lumps groups of children together. 

• A tap that needs turning off. 

So, what is it? An EHC plan is.... 

A legal document which sets out the child or young person's individual SEN, the individual provision they require to meet those needs (and no more but certainly no less), and the aspirational outcomes expected for them as a result. 

It is issued when it is necessary and is designed to make sure a child or young person has the legal right to an education which meets their individual needs. 

Simple, isn't it? 

About the author

Kate is a member of IPSEA's legal team and an adoptive parent to children with SEN. As a member of the legal team, Kate provides legal support to volunteers and supervises their helpline and Tribunal Support Service work. She also writes monthly updates for the volunteers, ensuring they are kept up to date with legal and policy changes. She helps maintain IPSEA’s legal resources and briefings, and provides training to parents, carers and professionals. Kate also supports the policy team in their work. In her spare time, Kate loves to have her nose in a new book, get outside and exercise, and play with her two sons.

Explore more of our latest policy blogs here. 

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