Before you start: You do not need a solicitor, a diagnosis, or permission from the school to request an EHCP. Any parent or carer can make the request directly to their local authority.
What is an EHCP?
An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is a legal document. It describes your child's needs and the support they must receive. Schools are legally required to deliver what is written in Section F of the plan.
Without an EHCP, support depends on the school's goodwill and budget. With one, it is a legal obligation. That is the difference.
Does my child need one?
You can apply if your child has a need that the school's existing support cannot meet. You do not need a formal diagnosis. The local authority must consider your request regardless.
Signs that an EHCP might be right for your child:
- They are not making progress despite extra support in school
- They are struggling socially, emotionally, or with learning
- School has said it cannot meet their needs without additional funding
- They have a diagnosis of autism, ADHD, dyslexia, or another condition affecting their education
- You are concerned about their transition to secondary school
Who can make the request?
You can. The school can. A professional working with your child can. Most of the time, it works better when you make it yourself because you control the timing and the wording.
Step by step: how to request an EHCP
Write to your local authority
Send a letter or email to the SEND team at your local council. State clearly that you are requesting an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment for your child. Include your child's full name, date of birth, school, and year group.
Explain why you are making the request
Describe the difficulties your child is having. Be specific. Use examples from day to day life. You do not need to use technical language. You just need to paint a clear picture of what your child's days actually look like.
Attach any supporting evidence
Include anything that shows your child's needs: school reports, letters from professionals, GP referrals, private assessments, or your own written observations. More is better at this stage.
Keep a copy and note the date
The local authority has 6 weeks to decide whether to carry out a needs assessment. That clock starts from the date they receive your request. Keep a record of when you sent it and how.
Wait for their decision
They will either agree to assess your child or refuse. If they refuse, they must give you reasons in writing. You have the right to appeal a refusal. A refusal is not the end of the road.
What happens after you request?
If the local authority agrees to carry out an assessment, they will gather advice from school, health professionals, and you as a parent. This is called a needs assessment and it must be completed within 20 weeks of your original request.
During this time, you will be asked to submit your parental evidence. This is your chance to describe your child's needs in your own words. It is one of the most important parts of the process.
Tips from parents who have been through it
- Send your request by email so you have a timestamp and a paper trail
- Request read receipts or a confirmation reply
- Do not wait for the school to agree or disagree before you apply
- Keep a diary of incidents, meltdowns, or struggles in the weeks before you apply
- Be honest about the bad days, not just the average ones
Need help building your case?
The EHCP Preparation Toolkit walks you through gathering evidence, writing your parental statement, and submitting your request with confidence. Designed for England. Plain English throughout.
Get the EHCP Preparation Toolkit