Parent Support Hub

EHCP support — help for UK parents at every stage

Education, Health and Care Plans are the most powerful legal tool parents in England have for securing the right SEND provision — but the process is long, technical, and often adversarial. This page maps out where to get EHCP support (free and paid), which step you're at, what the law actually says, and how to build a case that holds up at the SEND Tribunal.

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Quick answer

The fastest route to good EHCP support is: (1) work out which stage you're at, (2) call your local SENDIASS or IPSEA (both free), (3) gather your evidence in one organised pack before you write to the LA, and (4) use the right legal duty — section 36 CFA 2014 to apply, section 37 to demand a plan, section 42 to enforce delivery. You almost never need a solicitor; you almost always need organised evidence.

Who this page is for

"EHCP support" means different things to different families. This page covers all of them:

  • Parents who think their child may need an EHCP and want to know how to start
  • Parents mid-assessment whose LA has gone quiet or missed a deadline
  • Parents who have just received a refusal letter and have 2 months to act
  • Parents whose final EHCP is too vague to enforce
  • Parents whose child's Section F provision isn't actually being delivered
  • Young people aged 16–25 making their own decisions about their EHCP
  • Carers and grandparents supporting a family member through the process

Free EHCP support in the UK

Most families never need to pay for EHCP advice. England has a layered free-support system, all of it legally trained and specialist:

SENDIASS

Every English local authority must fund a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Service (section 32 Children and Families Act 2014). They are statutorily independent of the LA, free, and confidential. Best first call for almost any EHCP question. Find yours via the IASS Network directory.

IPSEA

The Independent Provider of Special Education Advice runs national helplines on EHC needs assessment, tribunal appeals, and exclusions. Free legal advice from specialist solicitors and trained volunteers. Excellent template letters and factsheets.

SOSSEN

Free advice service covering EHCPs, tribunals, mediation, and school exclusions. Helpline staffed by specialist advisers.

Contact

Charity for families with disabled children. Helpline, parent groups, benefits advice, and detailed guides on EHCP rights.

National Autistic Society Education Rights Service

Specialist service for autistic children and young people. Free legal advice on EHCPs, school placements, exclusions and discrimination.

Council for Disabled Children

National body that influences SEND policy and publishes accessible explainers on the SEND framework.

EHCP support at every stage of the journey

The kind of support you need depends on where you are in the process. Each stage below links to a step-by-step guide.

Before you apply

Work out whether your child meets the EHCP threshold or whether SEN support is the right next step. Most EHCP refusals trace back to weak evidence at the request stage, so this is the highest-leverage point in the whole journey.

EHCP vs SEN support →

Applying for an EHCP

Draft an EHC needs assessment request letter that cites the right legal threshold, sets a 6-week deadline, and attaches a structured evidence index. You do not need school permission to apply.

Applying for an EHCP — guide →

Building the evidence

Pull together school reports, attainment data, behaviour logs, attendance, parent observations, and any clinical reports. A structured evidence checklist saves weeks of back-and-forth with the LA.

Evidence checklist →

If the LA refuses to assess

Appeal to the SEND Tribunal within 2 months. Around 95% of refusal-to-assess appeals are won or settled by parents. The pack: appeal grounds, mediation certificate, evidence bundle, parent statement.

Refusal-to-assess appeal →

If the LA refuses to issue

Different appeal route, same tribunal. The LA agreed your child has SEN but said an EHCP isn't necessary. Strong evidence base from the assessment itself usually wins these appeals.

Refusal-to-issue appeal →

Disputing the contents (Sections B, F, I)

If the draft or final EHCP is too vague, missing provision, or names the wrong school, you can appeal Sections B (needs), F (provision), and I (placement) at tribunal — separately or together.

Section F appeal →

When provision isn't being delivered

Section 42 CFA 2014 is an absolute duty on the LA. Write to the LA, escalate to the LGSCO, and consider judicial review. Keep a contemporaneous log of every missed session.

Provision not being made →

Annual review and amendments

Annual reviews must run at least every 12 months. The LA has 4 weeks after the review to issue any amendment notice. Delays and unagreed amendments are appealable.

Annual review delay →

Post-16 and up to 25

EHCPs continue while the young person is in education or training, up to age 25. The young person becomes the decision-maker at 16. Different rules apply for FE colleges and supported internships.

EHCPs up to 25 →

The legal framework in one place

All EHCP support ultimately comes back to a small number of statutes and regulations. Knowing which one applies to your situation puts you on a much stronger footing.

What it coversSource
Definition of SENSection 20, Children and Families Act 2014
Right to request an EHC needs assessmentSection 36, CFA 2014
Threshold to issue an EHCPSection 37, CFA 2014
Duty to secure provision in Section FSection 42, CFA 2014
Annual review dutySection 44, CFA 2014; Reg 18–22, SEND Regs 2014
Mediation requirement before appealSection 55, CFA 2014
Right of appeal to SEND TribunalSection 51, CFA 2014
Reasonable adjustments dutySection 20, Equality Act 2010
School-level SEN supportChapter 6, SEND Code of Practice 2015
Statutory frameworkSEND Code of Practice 2015 (entire)

How to get EHCP support that actually works

  1. 1

    Work out where you are in the EHCP journey

    EHCP support means different things at different stages. Are you wondering whether to apply? Mid-assessment? Facing a refusal? Disputing the contents? Annual review approaching? The right support and paperwork is very different at each stage.

  2. 2

    Gather your evidence in one place

    Collect school reports, attainment data, behaviour logs, attendance records, any clinical reports (paediatrician, EP, SALT, OT, CAMHS), the SEN support plan and reviews, and a chronology of what's been tried. This is the single biggest predictor of a positive outcome.

  3. 3

    Use a free statutory support service

    Contact your local SENDIASS for impartial advice. For tribunal-specific support call IPSEA or SOSSEN. These are free, specialist, and legally trained — most parents never need to pay for SEND advice.

  4. 4

    Use the right legal framework for the stage

    Sections 36–37 CFA 2014 govern assessment and issue; section 42 governs delivery; Chapter 9 of the SEND Code of Practice 2015 covers reviews and amendments. Referencing the correct legal duty in correspondence puts the LA on notice and dramatically improves response quality.

  5. 5

    Set deadlines in every letter

    Statutory deadlines (6 weeks, 20 weeks) and reasonable deadlines (10–15 working days for routine LA replies) keep cases moving. Without a deadline, EHCP correspondence drifts for months.

  6. 6

    Build a pack ready for tribunal even if you hope you'll never need it

    About one in four EHCP requests is initially refused. Preparing a structured pack — letters, evidence index, parent statement, working document changes — means you can move to appeal immediately if needed, rather than rebuilding from scratch under time pressure.

EHCP support by specific need

The legal process is the same regardless of diagnosis, but the evidence, professional input, and provision look very different. Detailed guides:

Signs you should escalate from informal support to formal action

  • The LA has missed a statutory deadline (6 weeks for the assess decision; 20 weeks overall)
  • School promises haven't translated into delivered provision after one full term
  • Your child's attendance has fallen below 80% because of unmet need
  • Multiple professionals recommend statutory support but no EHCP is in place
  • The draft EHCP uses vague language like 'access to' or 'opportunities for' rather than quantified provision
  • You have received a refusal letter — the 2-month appeal clock is running
  • Section F provision is documented as missing for more than 4 weeks
  • The LA is not responding to letters within a reasonable timeframe (10–15 working days)

Common misunderstandings about EHCP support

  • 'I need a solicitor' — almost never true; IPSEA, SOSSEN and SENDIASS take most cases to tribunal for free
  • 'The school decides whether to apply' — false; parents can apply directly to the LA
  • 'No diagnosis means no EHCP' — false; EHCPs are needs-led, not diagnosis-led
  • 'You have to try SEN support for a year first' — false; you can apply at any time
  • 'The LA can refuse and that's the end' — false; you have a statutory right of appeal and most appeals succeed
  • 'Section F is just guidance' — false; section 42 CFA 2014 is an absolute legal duty to secure the provision
  • 'EHCPs end at 18' — false; they continue up to 25 if education or training continues
  • 'Mediation is mandatory' — only the certificate is; you don't have to actually mediate

What your pack includes

  • Stage-by-stage roadmap from initial request to tribunal-ready pack
  • EHC needs assessment request letter (legal-citation-ready)
  • Evidence checklist tailored to your child's profile
  • Parent statement template structured by the SEND Code of Practice
  • Section F provision audit (vague language → quantified, specified, named)
  • Tribunal appeal grounds drafted against your specific refusal letter
  • Working document tracker for draft EHCP negotiations
  • Letter library for every common LA exchange

Frequently asked questions

What is EHCP support?
EHCP support is the help available to families and young people in England navigating Education, Health and Care Plans — the statutory documents issued by a local authority under section 37 of the Children and Families Act 2014. It covers everything from understanding whether an EHCP is needed, applying for an EHC needs assessment, building evidence, appealing refusals at the SEND Tribunal, enforcing provision in Section F, and managing annual reviews. Free statutory support comes through SENDIASS in every local authority; charities like IPSEA and SOSSEN provide free specialist legal guidance; private SEND solicitors and advocates offer paid representation.
Where can I get free EHCP support in the UK?
Your local SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Service) is statutory and free — every English LA must fund one. IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) runs free tribunal helplines and legal training. SOSSEN provides free advice on EHCPs and tribunals. Contact and the National Autistic Society offer specialist family support. For mediation, the LA must offer a free certificate from a registered mediation provider before you appeal.
Do I need a solicitor for EHCP support?
No. The SEND Tribunal is designed to be accessible to parents acting in person, and most parents do not use solicitors. IPSEA, SOSSEN and SENDIASS can take you through the whole process without legal fees. Some parents do choose specialist SEND solicitors or advocates for complex cases (Section I placement disputes, judicial reviews, multi-issue appeals) — fees typically range £150–£300/hour. EHCP Clarity is not a solicitor and does not give legal advice, but helps you organise the evidence and paperwork that a tribunal expects.
How long does it take to get EHCP support in place?
The statutory timetable from request to final EHCP is 20 weeks: 6 weeks for the LA to decide whether to assess, then up to 14 weeks for the assessment, draft plan, parent comments, and final issue. If the LA refuses to assess, refuses to issue, or you disagree with the contents, the SEND Tribunal appeal process typically takes a further 4–9 months. Annual reviews must be held at least once every 12 months once the plan is in place.
What's the difference between SEN support and EHCP support?
SEN support is the school-led graduated approach (assess, plan, do, review) under Chapter 6 of the SEND Code of Practice 2015, funded from the school's notional SEN budget (~£6,000/year per pupil). It is not legally binding. An EHCP is a legally binding LA document under section 42 CFA 2014 — once provision is named in Section F, the LA must secure it. Most pupils with SEN are supported through SEN support alone; EHCPs are for children whose needs cannot reasonably be met from mainstream school resources.
Can I get EHCP support if my child doesn't have a diagnosis?
Yes. An EHCP is needs-led, not diagnosis-led. The legal test under section 36(8) CFA 2014 is whether the child has or may have SEN and whether it may be necessary to make provision through an EHCP — diagnosis is not a precondition. Many EHCPs are issued before any formal diagnosis, particularly for very young children or for needs that don't map neatly to a single label. School observations, attainment data, and reports from any involved professionals are usually enough to start the process.
What support is available if the local authority refuses?
Every LA refusal carries a statutory right of appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability), known as the SEND Tribunal. You have 2 months from the decision letter to appeal. Before appealing, you must obtain a mediation certificate from a registered mediation provider — the LA must offer this free of charge. Around 95% of parents who appeal refusal-to-assess decisions win or settle in their favour, so refusal is very rarely the end of the road.
What if my child's EHCP provision isn't being delivered?
Section 42 CFA 2014 places an absolute legal duty on the LA to secure the provision in Section F. If it is not being delivered, write to the LA setting out exactly what is missing and a reasonable deadline (usually 10 working days). If unresolved, complain to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) and consider judicial review. The Disagreement Resolution Service can also help where there is a dispute with the school or LA.
Is EHCP support available for post-16 and post-18?
Yes. EHCPs cover children and young people aged 0–25 in education or training. From 16, the young person becomes the primary decision-maker (with parental support if they consent). Post-16 EHCPs cover sixth form, FE college, and supported internships. Post-18 EHCPs continue while the young person remains in education and the LA agrees outcomes have not been met. They do not cover higher education at university.

Related guides

Sources and further reading

This is general information, not legal advice. EHCP Clarity helps parents organise and prepare their own materials. It does not provide legal advice, legal representation, or tribunal advocacy, and nothing on this page should be relied on as a substitute for advice about your specific situation. For free independent expert support, contact IPSEA, SOS!SEN, or your local SENDIASS. For legal representation, instruct a SEND solicitor.