What an annual review is, and what to do if you disagree with the review.
What an annual review is
An annual review is a meeting to look at whether an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is still meeting a child or young person's needs. The review is an important opportunity to:
- celebrate progress
- discuss any concerns
- review support
- agree new outcomes
- consider whether changes are needed
It happens every 12 months unless your child is under 5 years old, in which case reviews usually happen every 6 months.
Who attends the annual review
The review is usually organised by the nursery, school or college.
People invited may include:
- parents or carers
- the child or young person
- school or college staff
- Bristol City Council SEND Officer
- health professionals
- social care professionals
- other professionals involved in supporting the child or young person
Not everyone will attend every review, but everyone involved in supporting your child should write a report for the annual review.
Before the review
Before the review, the school or setting will ask for information from people involved with the child or young person.
You may be asked to share:
- what has gone well
- any concerns you have
- changes you'd like to see
- your child's views and experiences
Two weeks before the review, you'll be sent the reports from those working with your child. It's helpful to read the reports and make a note of any questions or thoughts you have before the review.
At the review
The review looks at:
- progress towards outcomes
- current needs
- support that's been provided
- whether support is working
- whether needs have changed
- any new outcomes that may be needed
- preparation for adulthood, where appropriate
The aim is to make sure the EHCP continues to reflect the child or young person's needs.
After the review
After the annual review, we'll consider the information from the meeting.
We'll then decide whether to:
- keep the EHCP the same
- change the EHCP
- carry out a reassessment
- end the EHCP
You should receive this decision within 4 weeks of the annual review meeting.
If we decide to change the EHCP
We'll send you an amendment notice and a copy of any proposed changes within 4 weeks of the review.
You'll have the opportunity to comment on the proposed changes before a final amended EHCP is issued.
The final amended EHCP should normally be issued within 12 weeks of the annual review meeting date.
If you do not receive a decision in time
If you have not received a decision within 4 weeks of the annual review meeting, you can email Bristol's SEND Team on sen@bristol.gov.uk and ask for an update.
It can be helpful to keep a note of:
- the date of the annual review meeting
- who attended
- any correspondence you have received
For information about current waiting times and known delays, visit our Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment improvement plan page.
Ask for an early review
If there has been a significant change in circumstances you can ask for an early annual review. An early review may be appropriate if:
- needs have changed
- support is no longer working
- a child or young person's placement is at risk
- new information has become available
- health or family circumstances have changed significantly
Speak to the school, education setting or Bristol SEND Team if you think an early review may be needed.
Reassessment
Sometimes an annual review identifies that more information is needed about a child or young person's needs. In these situations, we may decide to carry out a reassessment.
A reassessment is similar to the original Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA) and gathers updated information from professionals.
Preparing for adulthood
From year 9, EHCP reviews will increasingly focus on preparing for adult life. This may include discussions about:
- further education
- employment
- independent living
- community participation
- health and wellbeing
Planning for adulthood should be discussed throughout the EHCP process, not just when a young person is nearing adulthood.
If we decide to end an EHCP
We may decide to end an EHCP if we believe the child or young person no longer needs the support provided through it.
If we're considering ending your child or young person's EHCP, we'll let you know and ask for your views before making a final decision. We'll write to you explaining our reasons, your right to appeal and how to access mediation and advice.
If you disagree with the decision
If you disagree with a decision following an annual review, you may have the right to:
- request mediation
- use disagreement resolution services
- appeal to the SEND Tribunal
Find out more on our resolving disagreements about SEND provision page.
Advice and support
If you'd like information, advice or support with the annual review process, you can contact the following organisations:
- Bristol Parent Carers is a charity run by parent carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). They support all families, regardless of their child's type of need or diagnosis status.
-
SEND And You (SAY) is Bristol's SEND Information, Advice and Support Service. They provide free, confidential and impartial information, advice and support for parent carers and young people about SEND law, rights and processes.
-
Bristol City Council SEND Team can help with questions. You can email the team at sen@bristol.gov.uk. Please take note of our waiting times which are explained on our Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment improvement plan page.
