Your child's EHCP annual review, explained

If your child has an EHCP, you will be invited to an annual review at least once a year. It can feel like a routine school meeting, but it is the main moment when the plan can be kept, changed or ended. This post explains how it works, so you can walk in prepared. If you are still finding your feet, SENguru is building free tools to help families through the EHC process, and there is more about that at the end.

First, some terms

• EHCP means Education, Health and Care Plan. It is a legal document that sets out your child’s special educational needs and the support they must receive.
• LA means local authority, the council that is responsible for your child’s plan.
• SEND means special educational needs and disabilities.
• Outcomes are the things the plan aims to help your child achieve, such as being able to join in a group activity or read independently.

How often must the plan be reviewed?

The LA must review each EHCP within 12 months of the date the plan was first made, and then at least every 12 months after the last review (Children and Families Act 2014, section 44). The LA must consult you, or the young person if they are over 16, during the review.

You can also ask for your child’s needs to be reassessed at any time. The LA must carry out a reassessment if you, or the school, ask for one (same section). A request is separate from the annual review.

Who should be at the meeting?

The rules say the following people must be invited (SEND Regulations 2014, regulation 20):

• you, as the parent, or the young person
• the head teacher or principal of the school or college, or the early years provider
• an officer from the LA who deals with special educational needs
• a health professional identified to give advice on health care provision
• an officer from the LA’s social care team

In practice, not everyone attends every meeting. If someone invited cannot come, advice from them should still be gathered beforehand.

The timetable the LA and school must follow

Regulation 20 sets out clear steps for a child who attends a school or other institution:

1. At least two weeks’ notice of the meeting date must be given.
2. Advice and information about your child must be collected from the people invited and shared with everyone at least two weeks before the meeting.
3. At the meeting, your child’s progress towards the outcomes in the plan must be considered.
4. Within two weeks of the meeting, a written report must be prepared and sent to everyone invited. For most schools, the head teacher is asked to write it. It sets out recommendations on any changes to the plan, and notes where those differ from the views of others at the meeting.
5. Within four weeks of the meeting, the LA must decide whether to keep the plan as it is, amend it, or cease to maintain it, and tell you.

All of this is in regulation 20. Notice the second step: you are entitled to see the advice before the meeting, not just on the day. If it has not arrived, it is reasonable to ask for it in writing.

From year 9: preparing for adulthood

When your child is in year 9 or beyond, the review must also consider what provision they need to prepare for adulthood and independent living (regulation 20(6)). That can include thinking about further education, work, independent living and being part of the community.

What if you disagree with the decision?

If the LA decides to keep the plan as it is or to cease to maintain it, it must tell you about your right to appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (SEND), the time limits for doing so, and the availability of mediation and disagreement resolution services (regulation 20(11)). Rights of appeal are set out in section 51 of the Children and Families Act 2014.

If the LA decides to amend the plan, it will send you a draft. You can respond to the draft, so read it carefully and do not feel you have to agree on the day.

Ways to prepare

These are practical ideas rather than legal requirements:

• Read the plan again before the meeting, especially the outcomes and the support listed. Ask yourself whether each outcome is still right for your child.
• Write down what has and has not worked this year, with dates where you can. A simple log of what you see at home and what the school tells you is useful evidence.
• Ask for the advice and reports in advance, in writing, and keep a dated copy of your request.
• Bring a friend or supporter. It helps to have someone to take notes while you listen.
• Follow up in writing after the meeting, summarising what was agreed. Keep everything.

For free, expert guidance, see IPSEA, SOS!SEN and Contact, or your local SENDIASS (the free, impartial information and advice service in each area).

How SENguru can help

SENguru is an asset-locked community interest company (CIC) founded by two SEND parents. We are building free tools: a correspondence tracker, a behaviour and communication log, a plain-English guide with deadline tracking, and EHC plan draft review. Together they are designed to help you keep your evidence and dates in one place before and after reviews like this.

We are nearly ready for beta testers, and the free version is planned for early 2027. Join the waitlist at senguru.co.uk.

This post is general information, not legal advice. For advice on your situation, contact IPSEA or SOS!SEN.