EHCP Application Consultancy England
Help applying for an EHCP across England.
Applying for an Education, Health and Care Plan is a legal process and local authorities do not always make it straightforward. We help families understand their rights, build the strongest possible case, and challenge decisions that fall short.
What we do
We guide you through every stage of the EHCP application process.
Request the assessment
We help you write a compelling request for an EHC needs assessment to your local authority, ensuring it includes the right evidence and framing.
Respond to refusals
If the local authority refuses to assess, we explain your options including appeal to the SEND Tribunal and help you act quickly within the strict 2-month deadline.
Contribute to the draft EHCP
When the draft plan arrives, we review it carefully and help you challenge inadequate sections before the plan is finalised.
Finalise the plan
We ensure the final EHCP is specific, measurable, and legally enforceable, not full of vague language that gives the local authority room to under-deliver.
Things families are frequently told that are not true
Know your rights before you accept any answer.
Families are routinely given incorrect information about the EHCP process, sometimes by schools, sometimes by the local authority. Knowing the law means you cannot be talked out of what your child is entitled to.
"You need to wait until your child is two years behind academically."
False. There is no academic threshold in the law. The Children and Families Act 2014 requires an assessment where a child may have SEN and may need an EHCP. Unmet need is the test, not a grade comparison.
"We need to exhaust our SEN budget before applying."
False. Schools do not need to have spent any specific amount before a parent can request an assessment. You can request an EHC needs assessment at any time, regardless of what the school has or has not spent.
"Your child is fine at school so they probably do not need an EHCP."
Masking is well documented. A child who holds it together at school and falls apart at home is not coping, they are exhausted. Home behaviour and parental evidence are relevant evidence for an EHCP assessment.
"The local authority has 6 months to process your request."
False. The statutory deadline from request to final plan is 20 weeks. Most LAs breach this routinely, but it is still unlawful. You can and should challenge delays formally.
Common questions
EHCP application frequently asked questions.
Who can request an EHC needs assessment?
Parents, carers, young people aged 16-25, and schools can all request an assessment. You do not need a professional referral or a diagnosis first.
What if we are refused an assessment?
You can appeal to the SEND Tribunal within 2 months of the refusal. We help you build a strong case and act quickly within the deadline.
How long does the process take?
The statutory deadline is 20 weeks from request to final plan. Delays are routine but unlawful. We help you document and challenge them.
Does my child need a diagnosis first?
No. A diagnosis is not required. The legal test is whether there may be SEN and whether an EHCP may be needed. Unmet need matters, not a specific label.
What if the local authority ignores my private EP report?
They cannot simply dismiss independent professional evidence. We help you ensure it is properly presented and formally engaged with in the assessment process.
Can I request an assessment even if the school says everything is fine?
Yes. School observations alone are not sufficient grounds for refusal. Parent evidence and home observations are relevant and carry legal weight.
Your child has a right to the support they need. We help you apply for it.
EHCP application consultancy for families across England.
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