What Section B must contain
Section B should set out all your child's special educational needs with enough specificity to enable the right provision to be identified. This means:
- All areas of need — not just the most obvious ones
- Specific descriptions, not vague phrases like 'some difficulties with communication'
- Needs identified by professional assessments and not dismissed without reason
- Language that reflects how needs affect education, not just clinical diagnoses
Common problems with Section B
- Needs described too vaguely — no specifics about level, frequency, or impact
- Key needs missing entirely — especially sensory, mental health, or social communication needs
- Professional recommendations ignored or watered down
- Section B written from school's perspective rather than reflecting all professional evidence
What your pack can include
- Issue map identifying what Section B is missing or understating
- Evidence points from professional reports supporting your preferred wording
- Draft proposed Section B wording based on your evidence
- Parent statement highlighting the impact of unmet needs
- SEND35A grounds of appeal wording
Frequently asked questions
- What is Section B of an EHCP?
- Section B describes your child's special educational needs. It should set out all the needs arising from or related to their disability or SEN — including learning, communication, physical, sensory, social, emotional, and mental health needs. It must be specific and detailed, not vague or generic.
- Can I appeal Section B without also appealing Section F?
- Yes. You can appeal Section B alone, Section F alone, or Sections B and F together. However, in practice many parents appeal both together because the way needs are described in B directly affects what provision can be specified in F.
- What evidence do I need for a Section B appeal?
- The key evidence is professional assessment reports (EP, SALT, OT, medical) that describe your child's needs in specific, measurable terms. You should also provide a parent statement and any school records showing the impact of needs on education.
- What can the Tribunal order?
- The SEND Tribunal can order the local authority to amend Section B to include additional or different descriptions of need. It cannot order the local authority to change other parts of the EHCP in isolation, though changes to B often require consequential changes to F.