EHCPs and Annual Reviews

An Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP) is a legal document issued following an education, health and care needs assessment (EHCNA), which specifies the support that is necessary to meet a child or young person’s needs. 

EHC plans should: 

  • Outline the child’s special educational needs as identified during the EHC Needs Assessment, 
  • Specify the provision required to meet those needs, 
  • Specify how services will be delivered as part of a whole package, and 
  • Explain how best to achieve the outcomes sought across education, health and social care for the child or young person. 

An EHCNA will not always lead to an EHCP. The information gathered during an EHCNA may indicate ways in which the school, college or other provider can meet the child or young person’s needs without an EHC plan. 

Students do not need an EHCP in order to attend Horizon School. 

Key Information for Suffolk EHCPs:

Application Process:  

In Suffolk, requests for an Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment are made through the Suffolk County Council online portal, by calling 01473 263688, or by emailing EHCNARequest@suffolk.gov.uk .  

The EHC needs assessment request involves filling out a form on the online portal, which requires personal details, school information, and views on the child’s needs.  The request can be made by parents, the dual registered school or any other professional agency working with the family. 

As outlined in the Dual Placement Agreement, the dual registered school is responsible for submitting the EHCP application. However, Horizon School will support with this by sharing assessments and relevant evidence. 

Statutory Timeline:  

The entire EHCNA process, from request to the final plan, generally takes 20 weeks. 

Annual Review:  

Existing EHCPs are reviewed every 12 months and the dual registered school should invite all those working directly with the young person to the meeting.  The student’s views must be included (either prior to the meeting or during the meeting, if they wish to attend.)   

As outlined in the Dual Placement Agreement, the dual registered school is responsible for holding the Annual Review, with Horizon School’s SENCO attending and providing any relevant supporting documentation. 

Suffolk County Council must notify parents of decisions within four weeks of the meeting- this could be to maintain the EHCP as it is, to issue an amended EHCP or to cease the EHCP. 

Support Services:  

For assistance, parents can contact Suffolk SENDIASS helpline on 01473 265210 for free, confidential support.  The SENDIASS website also has a wealth of information about what an EHCP is, the EHCP application process, Suffolk EHCPs and also Annual Reviews, which can be found here: 

EHC needs assessments and plans – Suffolk SENDIASS 

The Suffolk Parent Carer Forum provides additional resources: 

Education, Health & Care Plans (EHCP’s) – Suffolk Parent Carer Forum 

For specific queries: Statutory SEND Services is divided by region (South/Ipswich, Lowestoft/Waveney, and West/Central/Bury St Edmunds).