The EHCP Annual Review: What to Expect and How to Prepare

Once your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan, the plan must be reviewed at least once every 12 months in what is called an annual review. This is your opportunity to make sure the plan still reflects your child’s needs — and to push for changes if it does not.

This is the final post in our complete EHCP guide. Return to the beginning with What is an EHCP? or read the previous post — Which Specialists Can Support Your EHCP.

What Is an EHCP Annual Review?

An annual review is a formal meeting — usually held at your child’s school — where everyone involved in supporting your child comes together to assess whether the EHCP is still accurate and fit for purpose. The school is responsible for organising the meeting, though the local authority retains overall legal responsibility for the process. The review must happen within 12 months of the date the plan was issued or the date of the last review. You can request a review outside the annual cycle if your child’s needs change significantly.

Who Attends the Annual Review?

The meeting should involve: you as the parent or carer — your views are central; your child — particularly for older children and young people, whose participation is increasingly important; the school’s SENCO or another member of school leadership; and any relevant professionals such as a therapist, class teacher, or teaching assistant. Not every professional will attend in person — many contribute written reports that are circulated before the meeting.

Before the Meeting: What to Prepare

Gather reports and updates. Ask the school in advance for any written reports they are preparing, and request written updates from any therapists or specialists involved with your child. Write your parental contribution. You will usually be asked to complete a parental contribution form or write a statement. This is your chance to say what is working, what is not, what your child thinks about their support, and what you want to change. Review the current EHCP. Read through each section carefully. Has the provision in Section F actually been delivered as written? Are there needs that have emerged since the plan was written that are not captured in it? Think about outcomes. Check whether the outcomes in the plan are still relevant and whether progress has been made.

At the Meeting

The review meeting should cover: progress your child has made; whether the current provision is appropriate and being delivered; whether the outcomes are still relevant; any changes to your child’s needs; and what support should look like going forward. Keep a copy of any documents shared at the meeting. If you disagree with anything that is said, state that clearly and make sure it is noted in the minutes.

After the Meeting: What Happens Next

Following the review meeting, the school sends a written report to the local authority within 2 weeks. The local authority then has 4 weeks to decide what to do. They have three options: keep the plan as it is; amend the plan (in which case they issue a draft and you have the right to comment — the final amended plan must be issued within 8 weeks of the review meeting); or cease the plan if they decide an EHCP is no longer needed.

How to Request Changes to the Plan

If you want changes — whether at the annual review or at another time — put your request in writing to both the school and the local authority. Be specific about what you want changed and why. If you want to change the school named in the plan, the annual review is the right time to request this. If the local authority refuses a change you believe your child needs, you have the right to appeal to the SEND Tribunal.

Emergency Reviews

You do not have to wait for the annual review if something significant changes. You can request an emergency review at any time if: your child’s needs have changed significantly; the provision in the plan is not being delivered; your child is at risk of exclusion; or there has been a significant change in family circumstances. Contact the school and your local authority in writing, explaining the reasons.

Summary

• EHCP annual reviews must happen at least once every 12 months
• The school organises the meeting; the local authority has overall legal responsibility
• Prepare a parental contribution, review the current plan, and gather updated reports before the meeting
• After the meeting, the local authority has 4 weeks to decide whether to amend the plan
• The final amended plan must follow within 8 weeks of the review meeting
• You can request an emergency review at any time if circumstances change significantly
• If the local authority refuses a change you need, you can appeal to the SEND Tribunal

Return to the beginning: ← What is an EHCP? The Complete Guide

Previous in this series: ← Which Specialists Can Support Your EHCP

This guide is for informational purposes only. For advice specific to your child’s situation, contact your local SENDIASS service.

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