What to do when you receive the draft Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), what to check in the draft, and how long you have to respond to it.
If the outcome of your child or young person's Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA) was that they need an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), the first version you'll receive will be a draft EHCP.
What to do when you receive the draft EHCP
The draft EHCP is not final. You:
- should read the draft carefully
- can comment on it
- can request changes
- can tell us which school or setting you'd like your child to attend which we'll consider
- can request a meeting with us
What to check in the draft EHCP
The child or young person's needs
The draft EHCP should accurately describe your child or young person's needs. It should reflect the evidence gathered during the assessment stage, such as:
- professional advice and reports
- information from your child or young person's school or college
- you and your child or young person's views and experiences
The support
Every need should have support that matches it.
The support should explain:
- what will be provided
- who will provide it
- how often it will happen
- how much support will be given
Well written EHCPs are specific.
An example of unclear language:
'Access to adult support is required.'
An example of clear language:
'Three hours per week of individual support from a trained teaching assistant is required.'
The clearer the support, the easier it is to understand what should be delivered.
The outcomes
Outcomes describe what your child or young person is working towards. They should be:
- meaningful
- realistic
- based on your child's needs
Outcomes should focus on progress and independence, not simply on completing activities.
The school section
The draft EHCP will not include the name of the school or setting. This is because we may still be consulting with schools. You have the right to tell us which school or setting you'd like us to consider.
Personal budgets
Some families may wish to discuss a personal budget. A personal budget is funding that can sometimes be used in different ways to help meet the needs and deliver the support described in an EHCP.
Not every EHCP includes a personal budget. If you'd like more information about them, email sen@bristol.gov.uk.
Quick EHCP checklist
Check:
- Section B includes all of the child or young person's special educational needs identified in the assessment and professional reports.
- Support is clear and specific in section F.
- Outcomes in section E are appropriate and suitable.
- Reports are accurately reflected.
- Your preferred school or setting has been discussed.
- Any concerns have been raised with us.
How long you have to respond to the draft EHCP
You'll normally have 15 days to respond to the draft.
We'll consider your comments and decide whether any changes are needed.
We'll then issue a final EHCP.
Find out what happens next in our receiving the final Education, Health and Care Plan page.
Advice and support
If you'd like information, advice or support with the draft EHCP 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 about the EHCNA process. 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.
