An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) sets out what is needed to meet a child or young person's special educational needs (SEN) in order to achieve the best possible outcomes in their education, health and social care, and also to prepare them for adulthood.
Contents of a EHCP
An EHCP is a 'statutory' working document which must follow the guidance and key principles of the 'Special educational needs and disability code of practice: 0 to 25 years', and actively promotes co-ordinated support to make a difference.
We use the information from a SEN assessment to:
- establish/record views, interests and aspirations of the parents and child/young person
- describe their special education, health and social care needs
- determine 'outcomes' across these areas based on their needs and aspirations
- specify required 'provisions' (what's needed) for them
- state how those services will work together to meet needs, offer support and achieve outcomes
Ensuring a child/young person and their family are central to the process of creating a EHCP means we can:
- consider their views, wishes and feelings
- place importance on their participation in decisions
- provide information and support to enable them to make decisions
- support them to facilitate their development
Key information held in EHCPs
A EHCP includes all key information needed by those who support a child/young person.
The format supports a 'tell it once approach' so that families, authorities, schools and colleges do not have to re-write detailed information - it's already contained in an accessible document, plan or report.
Personalised information in EHCPs
Photographs, symbols, pictures and diagrams added throughout a EHCP present information in a way that suits the age and stage of a child/young person (Young voices gives more information on supporting children/young people in expressing their views).
Within a EHCP, family members (parents, grandparents, siblings and other closely-involved relatives) can make a combined or separate contribution, allowing a sharing of a range of views and opinions.