What is an EHCP?
An Education, Health and Care Plan is a legal document for a child or young person whose special educational needs require more support than their school can ordinarily provide. Here is what an EHCP is, what it contains, and who it is for. EHCPs apply in England.
Reviewed by SENlens. Last reviewed June 2026. Checked against GOV.UK, SEND Code of Practice and IPSEA.
What is an EHCP?
An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is a legal document, issued and maintained by a local authority in England, for a child or young person whose special educational needs cannot reasonably be met through the support ordinarily available in their school or setting. It describes the child's needs, sets out the provision that must be put in place to meet them, and records the outcomes they are working towards. Because it is a statutory document, the local authority has a legal duty to secure the special educational provision it specifies. You can read the official overview on GOV.UK.
What does an EHC plan contain?
An EHC plan is organised into statutory sections, labelled A to K:
- Section A: the views, interests and aspirations of the child and their family.
- Section B: the child or young person's special educational needs.
- Section C: health needs related to their SEN.
- Section D: social care needs related to their SEN or disability.
- Section E: the outcomes sought for the child or young person.
- Section F: the special educational provision required.
- Section G: any health provision required.
- Section H: any social care provision required.
- Section I: the name and type of the school or setting (the placement).
- Section J: any personal budget arrangements.
- Section K: the advice and information gathered during the assessment.
Sections B and F, together with the placement named in Section I, are the legally enforceable parts of the plan. The full statutory framework is set out in the SEND Code of Practice.
EHCP vs SEN Support: what's the difference?
SEN Support is the help a school or setting arranges from its own resources for a child with special educational needs, following a graduated "assess, plan, do, review" cycle. It does not need a legal plan and is the first level of support most children receive. An EHCP is for children and young people whose needs call for more or different provision than can reasonably be provided through SEN Support. The key difference is enforceability: an EHCP is a statutory document that legally binds the local authority to secure the provision named in it, whereas SEN Support is not legally enforceable in the same way.
Do you need a diagnosis?
No. This is a common misconception. Eligibility for an EHC needs assessment is needs-based, not diagnosis-based: it turns on the child or young person's needs and the support they require, not on whether they have a particular diagnosis or label. A local authority cannot lawfully refuse to carry out an assessment solely because there is no diagnosis. The charity IPSEA explains the lawful test and offers free, independent advice if you are unsure where you stand.
Who is an EHCP for?
EHCPs are for children and young people in England aged 0 to 25 who have special educational needs that require provision beyond what is available through SEN Support. The plan can continue into further education and training up to the age of 25, for as long as the young person remains in education or training and continues to need that level of support. If you think your child may need this level of support, the next step is usually to request an assessment. See our guide on how to apply for an EHCP, and use the EHCP deadline tracker to keep on top of the statutory timescales once a request is in.