An EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) is a legal document issued by the local authority under the Children and Families Act 2014. It specifies a child's needs, the provision the local authority must secure (Section F), and the school or setting to be attended (Section I). It carries rights of appeal to the SEND Tribunal.

What is different between an ISP and an EHCP?

Under current law, only EHCPs provide a statutory entitlement to specified special educational provision enforced through section 42 CFA 2014. ISPs are proposed digital records of day-to-day support — not yet law. Proposed reforms suggest ISPs would cover wider SEND support while EHCPs remain for the most complex needs.

Are EHCPs being scrapped?

No — not under current law. EHCPs remain the statutory route for children and young people whose needs require provision beyond what mainstream resources can normally provide. Proposed reforms suggest EHCPs may be linked to Specialist Provision Packages in future, but this is not yet in force and existing EHCPs are proposed to be protected during transition.

Should I wait for the new SEND system?

If your child is struggling and support is not enough, waiting for reform is unlikely to resolve the problem. The current EHCP process is still the route parents use today. Evidence, school records and professional reports take time to gather — and local authority decisions and appeals can add further months of delay.

Can EHCP Clarity help me apply?

EHCP Clarity helps parents organise information, check which route may apply, build evidence checklists, draft parent statements and chronologies, and prepare a structured pack for review. It does not provide legal advice, does not guarantee an assessment or EHCP outcome, and does not replace SENDIASS, IPSEA or a SEND solicitor.

Comparison guide

Individual Support Plan vs EHCP

Individual Support Plans are part of the proposed SEND reform model. EHCPs remain the current legal route for children and young people who need statutory support.

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Quick answer

An EHCP is a current legal entitlement to specified provision. An Individual Support Plan is a proposed digital record of day-to-day support — not yet law. Under proposals, most children with SEND would have an ISP; EHCPs would remain for those needing Specialist Provision Packages.

What is an Individual Support Plan?

A proposed digital record of a child's barriers to learning and the day-to-day support provided in nursery, school or college. Developed with parents and updated as needs change. Government proposals suggest every child with identified SEND would have an ISP, including those with EHCPs (where the ISP sets out practical delivery of the EHCP).

What is an EHCP?

A statutory legal document under the Children and Families Act 2014. It specifies needs, provision the local authority must secure, and placement. Carries enforceable Section F duties and SEND Tribunal appeal rights. Full EHCP guide

What is different?

Aspect	ISP (proposed)	EHCP (current law)
Legal status today	Not yet law — proposed	Statutory under CFA 2014
Who it is for	Proposed: all children with identified SEND	Children whose needs require statutory provision beyond mainstream resources
What it covers	Proposed: day-to-day support in school	Needs (B), provision (F), placement (I), health and care
Enforceability	Proposed — detail not yet enacted	Section 42 duty to secure Section F provision
Right of appeal	Proposed — not yet defined	SEND Tribunal for Sections B, F, I and refusals
Funding	Proposed: within school/local authority resources	local authority top-up funding above school's notional SEN budget

What remains uncertain?

How ISPs will be enforced, what happens when an ISP is not followed, how Specialist Provision Packages will be defined, and the exact transition from current EHCPs to any reformed system are all subject to legislation. Parents should follow official guidance as it develops — but act under current law if support is not enough today.

What should parents do now?

Do not wait for ISPs to replace the need for action. If your child's needs require statutory provision beyond mainstream resources, the current EHCP route still applies.

Frequently asked questions

What is an Individual Support Plan?: An Individual Support Plan (ISP) is a proposed digital record in the government's SEND reform plans. It would set out a child or young person's day-to-day support in nursery, school or college. ISPs are not yet a legal requirement — they are part of proposed reforms subject to legislation. EHCPs remain the current statutory route for the most complex needs.
What is an EHCP?: An EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) is a legal document issued by the local authority under the Children and Families Act 2014. It specifies a child's needs, the provision the local authority must secure (Section F), and the school or setting to be attended (Section I). It carries rights of appeal to the SEND Tribunal.
What is different between an ISP and an EHCP?: Under current law, only EHCPs provide a statutory entitlement to specified special educational provision enforced through section 42 CFA 2014. ISPs are proposed digital records of day-to-day support — not yet law. Proposed reforms suggest ISPs would cover wider SEND support while EHCPs remain for the most complex needs.
What remains uncertain?: The detail of Specialist Provision Packages, how ISPs will be enforced, the exact transition process, and how the new tiered system will work in practice are all subject to legislation and further policy development. Nothing is final until primary legislation is enacted.
Are EHCPs being scrapped?: No — not under current law. EHCPs remain the statutory route for children and young people whose needs require provision beyond what mainstream resources can normally provide. Proposed reforms suggest EHCPs may be linked to Specialist Provision Packages in future, but this is not yet in force and existing EHCPs are proposed to be protected during transition.
Should I wait for the new SEND system?: If your child is struggling and support is not enough, waiting for reform is unlikely to resolve the problem. The current EHCP process is still the route parents use today. Evidence, school records and professional reports take time to gather — and local authority decisions and appeals can add further months of delay.
Can EHCP Clarity help me apply?: EHCP Clarity helps parents organise information, check which route may apply, build evidence checklists, draft parent statements and chronologies, and prepare a structured pack for review. It does not provide legal advice, does not guarantee an assessment or EHCP outcome, and does not replace SENDIASS, IPSEA or a SEND solicitor.

Sources and further reading

GOV.UK — SEND reform: putting children and young people first (consultation) — Official government consultation on proposed SEND reforms
GOV.UK — SEND reform consultation (HTML version) — Full consultation document including ISP and Specialist Provision Package proposals
DfE Education Hub — What parents need to know about changes to the SEND system — Parent-facing explainer from the Department for Education
House of Commons Library — Schools White Paper 2026: SEND Reform (CBP-10550) — Independent parliamentary briefing on proposed reforms and transition timelines
GOV.UK — Children with special educational needs (current EHCP process) — Current statutory route for requesting an EHC needs assessment
SEND Code of Practice 2015 — Department for Education statutory guidance — Current law and guidance that still applies today

Important: EHCP Clarity provides general information and document-organisation support. It is not a law firm, does not provide legal advice and does not guarantee an EHC needs assessment, EHCP, school placement or tribunal outcome. Parents should use official guidance and seek specialist legal advice where needed.

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.