EHCP and SEND support for families in England
When support is missing or an EHCP does not reflect your child's needs, it helps to know what to do next. We review the evidence, prepare the documents and support you through the stage…
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EHCP annual-review preparation checklist
A practical England-only checklist for gathering views and evidence, preparing for the meeting and following up the council’s decision.
Start with the child or young person
Record their views, what matters to them, what is working, what is difficult and the support they need to participate. Agree communication adjustments, an interpreter or a trusted supporter with the meeting organiser.
Gather the current evidence
Collect the current final EHCP and amendments, the last review report, current education, health and social-care advice, progress against outcomes, and dated examples of provision delivered or missed. Keep a short list of gaps and requests. Keep the underlying records private.
Compare needs, provision and outcomes
Read Sections B and F together for special educational needs and provision. Check C and G for health and D, H1 and H2 for social care, plus A for views and E for outcomes. Identify the wording you want discussed, the supporting evidence and what action you request. Consider placement, transitions and preparation for adulthood where relevant.
Before the meeting
Check the date, attendees and access arrangements. Ask the organiser for the reports, written advice and information: for the usual school or institution review process these should be circulated at least two weeks before the meeting. Send your own contribution in time for circulation and keep a copy.
At the meeting
Work through progress and unmet needs, whether provision is specific enough and being delivered, changes to outcomes and placement, and the child or young person’s views. Record disagreements, evidence still needed, requested amendments, each action owner and the date for a response.
After the meeting
For the usual school or institution process, the organiser sends the meeting report and recommendations within two weeks of the meeting. The local authority must notify the parent or young person within four weeks of the review meeting whether it will maintain, amend or cease the plan. The meeting itself does not amend the EHCP. If amending after review, the council must provide the proposed amendments within the same four-week period, rather than only stating an intention to amend.
If amendments are proposed, the parent or young person must have at least 15 days to make representations and request a particular school or institution. Where amendments proceed, the amended final plan is due as soon as practicable and within eight weeks of the amendment notice. Following annual review, this requires the amended final plan within 12 weeks of the meeting. Keep the actual notice and check the applicable process and appeal information; a checklist does not calculate a case-specific deadline.
Advice and next steps
Local SENDIASS and IPSEA offer free information. Nellie’s annual-review support is optional paid work, agreed separately; using this checklist does not commission a service. This checklist concerns England. For Welsh ALN/IDP information use our Wales signposting page.
IPSEA annual-review information
Official SEND Code of Practice
Review meeting requirements: regulation 20
Amending a plan: regulation 22
Download the printable checklist (PDF)
Open the HTML preparation checklist
Download the editable preparation checklist (Word)
Published 18 October 2026