Introduction
An Education, Health and Care plan (EHC plan) is a legal document for children and young people up to age 25 who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). It describes the support they need to help them access learning.
An EHC plan is not the only way to get support, but it is used when extra help is needed beyond what an education setting can normally provide.
It sets out:
- Educational needs – what difficulties the child or young person has with learning.
- Health needs – such as, physical difficulties, health conditions that require medical interventions, and sensory impairments.
- Social care needs – what difficulties the child or young person has with daily living, independence, or social development.
- Provision – the specific support and resources the local authority must make sure are provided (for example, therapies, equipment, alternative provision or a placement in a special school).
- Outcomes – the goals the child or young person is working towards.
When an EHC plan may be needed
An EHC plan may be needed if:
- Progress at school is not being made despite extra help (including SEN support).
- The child has significant learning difficulties, disabilities, or health needs affecting education.
- Additional help, therapy, or funding is needed that the education setting cannot provide on its own.
- A structured, legally binding plan is needed to make sure the right support is in place.
When an EHC plan may not be needed
Without an EHC plan, education settings still provide SEN Support. Educational settings can access outreach from special schools and pupil referral units. An EHC plan may not be needed if:
- Reasonable adjustments in class (like extra time, visual aids, uniform adjustments, or different teaching methods) are enough.
- The child or young person is making progress with existing support (like small group work, extra help or targeted interventions).
- The needs are short-term and can be managed without a plan.
- The health or social care needs do not affect the child or young person’s ability to learn or participate in education This should be met through a separate health or social care plan.
- The young person is at university – EHC plans don’t cover university, but support is still available. You can find more information on our Higher Education page.