An Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is a legally binding document outlining a child’s special educational, health and social care needs. The document has to list all of the child’s special educational needs, provision to meet each of the needs and that provision has to be specific, detailed, and quantified. The plan names the school/setting which is to provide the provision and the plan is legally enforceable.

An EHCP is for any child or young person with significant, complex and long term Special Educational Needs or Disability.

Applying for an EHCP involves an assessment by the local authority (where you live) - this could be Banes, Wiltshire or Somerset and each LA varies with their approach.

Phase one 
A request is made to the LA to assess for an EHCP. They have 6 weeks to respond. They may say No. If they agree to an assessment phase two begins.

Phase two 
The LA has 12 weeks to make their assessments and decide whether to issue an EHCP. An EHCP may be granted or not granted. 

Phase three 
If an EHCP is granted there can be funding attached to the EHCP, depending on the level of need. The EHCP is reviewed annually and can be maintained, amended or ended.