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Phase transfers

Reviewing and updating the Education, Health and Care plan for moving between stages of education

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Education, Health and Care plans: Step by step

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Education, Health and Care plans: Step by step

The process of support for children and young people who have significant special educational needs and/or disabilities

1Advice and support

Information on what SEND is and the support that an EHC plan provides

  1. Understanding Special Educational Needs
  2. Identifying Special Educational Needs
  3. Getting SEN support and EHC plan advice
  4. SEND decision making in Somerset
  5. Education, Health and Care plan myth busting
  6. Understanding what Education, Health and Care plans are

    2Education, Health and Care needs assessments

    Find out how a request is made, how to find out the progress, and what happens during the needs assessment

    1. When a request for assessment is needed
    2. Make a request for an Education Health and Care needs assessment
    3. Deciding if an assessment is needed
    4. Completing the Education Health and Care needs assessment

      3Education, Health and Care plans

      Find out how the plan is drafted, sharing your preferences, and what happens after the plan is issued

      1. Drafting the Education, Health and Care plan
      2. Education, Health and Care plans and preparing for adulthood
      3. Education, Health and Care plans and school placements
      4. Education, Health and Care plans and choosing your support
      5. Issuing the Education, Health and Care plan
      6. Provision within the Education, Health and Care plan

        4Education, Health and Care plan reviews

        Find out about what happens at and after a review

        1. Education, Health and Care plan annual review meetings
        2. Education, Health and Care plan annual review decisions
        3. Education, Health and Care plans when moving into or out of Somerset
        4. Phase transfers
        5. When an Education, Health and Care plan might end

          5Right to appeal

          Understanding why decisions were made, and how solve issues or challenge decisions

          1. Resolving disagreements
          2. Education, Health and Care plans tribunals

            Overview

            A phase transfer is when a child or young person with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHC plan) moves between key stages of education. This includes transitions such as:

            • Early Years to Primary School
            • Infant School to Junior School
            • First School to Middle School and Middle to Upper
            • Primary to Secondary School
            • Secondary to Post-16 education

            These moves are significant. The Education, Health and Care plan must be reviewed and updated to make sure the next placement is suitable and can meet the child’s needs. The EHC plan will be amended to reflect their needs and the change of placement.

            information

            If a child is undergoing an Education Health and Care needs assessment then they do not have an EHC plan yet. These families are encouraged to apply through the normal school admissions processes. The school admissions team will then liaise with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities Assessment and Review Team as to who will follow up the school place allocation depending on timescale and deadlines for each process.

            Applications close for secondary and upper applications on 31 October 2026, and for primary, junior and middle applications on 15 January 2026. Find out more for children and young people without an EHC plan yet in our Primary Admissions Guide and Secondary Admissions Guide.

            Phase Transfer Annual Reviews

            A Phase Transfer Annual Review is a statutory review of the EHC  plan. It takes place in the academic year before the child or young person is due to move to the next phase of education. It helps to:

            • Check how things are going and what support is in place
            • Plan for the next phase of education
            • Choose and name the next educational setting
            • Make sure the Education, Health and Care plan reflects the child’s changing needs

            Key deadlines

            To support a smooth transition, the EHC plan must be reviewed and amended by certain dates:

            • 15 February 2026 – if moving to primary or secondary school
            • 31 March 2026 – if moving to post-16 education

            This means the Annual Review meeting should happen well before these dates. The current educational setting should arrange it to allow for reports to be submitted by the end of the second week in November. This gives time to talk things through and make any changes needed and, to consult with the next educational setting.

            important

            This year we have more phase transfer cases than usual, and we also have fewer staff available. Even though our teams are working very hard, this means we will not meet the deadlines for every child and young person. We know this may cause worry or uncertainty, and we are truly sorry.

            Our main priority is to make sure every child and young person moving to a new stage of education gets a placement that meets their needs. We are working closely with parent carers, schools, and other partners to find the right place for each individual.

            We are working to confirm placements as soon as possible, so families and settings have enough time to plan. We understand how important it is for children and young people to have clear information and the chance to visit new schools or colleges before September.

            We will keep families and professionals updated throughout this process. We will make contact directly when there is news about an individual placement or information to support planning.

            During the review

            The review should involve parent carers and the child or young person, the current educational setting, relevant professionals (for example Special Educational Needs Coordinator – SENCO, therapists). Sometimes, someone from the next school may be invited.

            Together, you will discuss the child or young person’s progress, future aspirations, and what support is needed in the next phase. The Local Authority will consider any requested amendments in the same way as all annual reviews. Then consult with potential settings.

            Visit Education, Health and Care plans and school placements page for more information on issuing an amended EHC plan to name the new placement.

            Last updated: February 13, 2026

            Next review due: August 13, 2026

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