You told us
The problem
We listened
We created a set of pages that explain EHC plans from start to finish.
These pages now cover:
- what happens before an EHC plan is needed
- how the assessment works
- how plans are written
- how plans are reviewed and how they end
You can see these on our Education, Health and Care Plan pathway pages.
What happened next
Families then told us there were still gaps. Over time we have added extra information to:
- explain when a request is needed and what support is available before that
- give clearer guidance for how parent carers can request an Education Health and Care needs assessment
- explain what parent carers can do if support in an EHC plan is not being delivered
- explain what a phase transfer is and when reviews must happen for this
- explain what happens if you move into or out of Somerset
- give clearer guidance on when an EHC plan may stop.
The Education Health and Care Plan Standards Group reviewed the advice given by professionals for EHC plans and decided the questions needed to change. The requests for information from health professionals have been improved. We are now working to make the Local Offer clearer about health needs. Find out more about the changes in the medical advice form.
What has the impact been
Since publishing the new pages in 2023, numbers of page views significantly increased. Professionals working with parents carers were telling us it is very helpful information.
But parent carers were finding some information too complex. We started working in 2025 to improve simplicity and navigation through the pages. So far we have updated the advice and support, and EHC needs assessment and EHC plans and annual review sections. We are still updating the disputes and resolution sections. Feedback so far is positive.