If your child has additional needs or special educational needs (SEN), a support plan could help. This might be:
IEPs and EHC plans focus on your child’s individual needs, to help them reach their full potential.
Read this in Welsh/ Darllenwch hwn yn Gymraeg: Beth yw CAIP a CAU, a sut all fy mhlentyn gael un?
Your child may have SEND or additional needs if they experience:
Legally, a child has SEN if they have a learning difficulty or a disability that needs special educational provision.
An IEP sets out your child’s goals for the school year, and any special support needed to help achieve them:
An EHC plan outlines any special educational needs that your child has. It also covers the support your local authority must put in place to help your child:
Your child’s school will have a SEN register or plan. The school special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCo) manages the SEN register. They will add your child to the register if your child needs extra support.
You do not need to have a formal diagnosis when implementing an IEP or applying for an EHC plan. But to apply for an EHC plan, you will need to have identified likely SEN. A diagnosis would often be underway when applying, but the application process can begin before a formal diagnosis.
As a parent or carer, you can apply for an EHC plan on the behalf of a child or young person up to the age of 25. Young people aged 16-25 can also apply for themselves. Your child’s school or early years setting may offer to write and request an EHC plan needs assessment.
The school will be asked to provide evidence for an EHC plan application. If school staff don’t think your child needs an EHC plan, you might need to discuss this with them and try to come to an agreement.
To apply for an EHC plan, read the government’s overview of how to begin the application process. SENDIASS has a template request letter (PDF).
Local authorities in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland don’t issue EHC plans.
In Wales, you can get an Individual Development Plan (IDP). This has replaced the Statement of Special Educational Needs.
In Northern Ireland, you can apply for a Statement of Special Educational Needs.
In Scotland, you can apply for a Co-ordinated Support Plan.
If you need help with the process, you can get guidance from SENDIASS (England), the SNAP Cymru (Wales), Contact Scotland (Scotland) or Contact NI (Northern Ireland).
We also have advice on:
What qualifies someone for an EHC plan.
When a school won’t support an EHC plan application.
Getting an EHC plan updated.