Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
(IPSEA) Independent Provider of Special Education Advice
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Donate
Menu
  • Home
  • About us
    • Who we are
    • Our impact
    • Our vision and goals
    • Work for us
    • Annual report
  • How we help
    • Get support
    • Our services
    • Policy work
    • Services for professionals
    • Case studies
  • Training
    • Learn about and book training
    • Upcoming training events
    • Online training
    • Face to face training
    • Bespoke training
    • Training FAQs
    • Webinars
    • Legal updates
    • Testimonials
  • Get involved
    • Why funds are necessary
    • Donate
    • Fundraising
    • Other ways to give
      • Online shopping
      • Gifts in your will
      • Gifts in memory
      • Gifts in celebration
    • Volunteer
    • Corporate support
    • Trusts and foundations
  • Latest
    • News
    • IPSEA Blogs
  • Contact
    • Contact us
    • Press enquiries
  • IPSEA Legal Resources Portal
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • What an EHC plan contains
  1. How we help
  2. Get support
  3. Education, Health and Care plans
  4. What an EHC plan contains

What an EHC plan contains

Education, health and care (“EHC”) plans can be long and complicated. They are required by law to contain certain sections, and it is important to ensure your EHC plan matches the legal requirements. If it doesn’t, it could make it difficult to enforce.

(If you’re not sure what an EHC plan is, or need advice on how to ask for an EHC plan, click here.)

The EHC plan should be written in a way that makes it clear, to parents, young people, schools, colleges and LAs, who is required to do what, when it has to happen and how often it should be reviewed.

An EHC plan does not have a fixed format – each local authority (“LA”) can develop its own ‘style’ – but legally they must contain a number of separate sections.

You can also use our EHC plan checklist to see whether your EHC plan complies with the law.

What sections should an EHC plan have?

What should be in the sections relating to education (Sections B and F)?

What can I do if I’m not happy about the contents of the EHC plan?

Published: 19th March, 2018

Updated: 1st May, 2018

Author: Emma Brock

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • Transfer to a new phase of education

    Transfer to a new phase of education

    IPSEA has had a number of calls in recent weeks from parents who are still waiting for phase transfer annual reviews to be completed

  • EHC Plan Masterclass - Existing plans - 11 May

    EHC Plan Masterclass - Existing plans - 11 May

    From looking at the information a plan should contain, through to how to achieve that through annual reviews, re-assessments and appeals to the SEND Tribunal, this training day will help you navigate the system, supporting you to make informed and positive decisions regarding your child’s education.

  • LB Enfield v NH and another (SEN) [2019] UKUT 1 (AAC)

    LB Enfield v NH and another (SEN) [2019] UKUT 1 (AAC)

    A party can only be barred from a hearing by a judge or registrar, not by Tribunal administrative staff. When considering whether to enforce an automatic barring order, the Tribunal must still give consideration to the overriding objective.

  • R  v  Chair of Governors and Headteacher of A and S school ex parte T [2000] ELR 274

    R v Chair of Governors and Headteacher of A and S school ex parte T [2000] ELR 274

    When a parent requests a school (of one of the types set out in s. 38(3) CAFA 2014), the ultimate decision to name the school rests with the home local authority. Even if the school and the local authority in which the school is located object, they can be overruled.

Related

  • EHC needs assessments

    EHC needs assessments

    An EHC needs assessment is an assessment of a child or young person’s education, health and care needs

  • Personal budgets and direct payments

    Personal budgets and direct payments

    Once a child or young person has an EHC plan, the local authority must ensure the support set out in the plan is made for the child or young person

  • Changing an EHC plan

    Changing an EHC plan

    Once an EHC plan is in place for a child or young person, it is unlikely to remain the same over time - as they grow up, it may become out of date, and they may move to a different school or college

  • If your LA takes away your EHC plan

    If your LA takes away your EHC plan

    When a local authority decides to take away, or end, an EHC plan, this is called ‘ceasing to maintain’

  • Appealing to the SEND Tribunal

    Appealing to the SEND Tribunal

    The SEND Tribunal is an independent national tribunal which hears parents’ and young people’s appeals against LA decisions about the special educational needs of children and young people

Most read

  • EHC needs assessments

    EHC needs assessments

    An EHC needs assessment is an assessment of a child or young person’s education, health and care needs

  • Asking for an EHC needs assessment

    Asking for an EHC needs assessment

  • Advice Line

    Advice Line

    Our Advice Line provides legally based information and next step advice on any educational issue that is the result of a child’s special educational needs or disability

  • Model letters

    Model letters

    IPSEA model letters are available to download and amend for your own purposes

  • Making a request for an EHC needs assessment: Model letter 1

    Making a request for an EHC needs assessment: Model letter 1

  • Contact us

    Contact us

  • What happens in an EHC needs assessment

    What happens in an EHC needs assessment

  • Appealing to the SEND Tribunal

    Appealing to the SEND Tribunal

    The SEND Tribunal is an independent national tribunal which hears parents’ and young people’s appeals against LA decisions about the special educational needs of children and young people

  • IPSEA update on COVID-19 and SEN provision

    IPSEA update on COVID-19 and SEN provision

    Read our guidance on the how the COVID-19 measures affect children and young people with special educational needs (SEN)

  • What an EHC plan contains

    What an EHC plan contains

    An EHC plan should be written in a way that makes it clear, to parents, young people, schools, colleges and LAs, who is required to do what, when it has to happen and how often it should be reviewed

How you can help IPSEA

How you can help IPSEA

Have you found the information on our website helpful today? If so, please consider donating! At IPSEA, we rely on your donations and fundraising efforts to help keep our vital services running. Read more

Donate Fundraise

Published: 19th March, 2014

Updated: 11th March, 2020

Author:

Sign up to receive regular email updates from IPSEA

The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Contact us
  • Accessibility
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy policy
  • Login
  • My details
  • Log out

IPSEA is registered charity number 327691
Limited company 2198066

Registered office: IPSEA, 24-26 Gold Street, Saffron Walden, CB10 1EJ