Essential Guide to Completing Your Child's Educational Health Care Plan for Local Authority Submission

Submitting an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) for your child to the local authority can feel overwhelming. The process involves detailed paperwork, careful explanation of your child’s needs, and clear evidence to support the request. This guide breaks down how to fill in an EHCP, what to include, and which sections deserve your focus to improve the chances of a successful application.

Understanding the key elements and how to present information clearly will help you advocate effectively for your child’s education and health support.

Parent completing an Educational Health Care Plan form at home

Parent completing an Educational Health Care Plan form at home

What is an Educational Health Care Plan?

An EHCP is a legal document that outlines the education, health, and care support a child with special educational needs requires. It is designed for children and young people up to 25 years old who need more support than what is normally available in schools.

The plan ensures that the local authority provides the right resources, tailored learning, and health services to help your child thrive.

Preparing to Fill Out the EHCP

Before you start the form, gather all relevant information about your child’s needs. This includes:

• Reports from doctors, therapists, and educational psychologists

• School assessments and progress reports

• Any previous support plans or statements

• Notes from meetings with teachers or specialists

  
  

Having this information ready will make it easier to provide detailed, accurate answers.

Key Sections of the EHCP and What to Include

1. Personal Details and Background

This section asks for basic information about your child, such as name, date of birth, and contact details. It also includes family background and any relevant medical history.

Tips:

• Be precise and consistent with dates and names.

• Include any diagnoses or medical conditions that affect learning or health.

  
  

2. Description of Your Child’s Needs

This is one of the most important parts. You need to clearly describe your child’s special educational needs and how they impact daily life and learning.

What to add:

• Specific difficulties your child faces (e.g., speech delay, sensory processing issues)

• How these needs affect schoolwork, social interaction, and independence

• Examples from home and school settings

  
  

Use clear, simple language and avoid jargon. For example, instead of “child exhibits non-compliance,” say “my child finds it hard to follow instructions when overwhelmed.”

3. Health Needs

Detail any health conditions that require support during school hours or affect learning.

Include:

• Diagnoses from health professionals

• Treatments or therapies your child receives

• How health needs impact attendance or concentration

  
  

4. Education and Learning Support

Explain what support your child currently receives and what additional help they need.

Examples:

• One-to-one support or teaching assistant help

• Use of assistive technology

• Adaptations to the curriculum or learning environment

  
  

Mention any gaps in current support and why more is necessary.

5. Desired Outcomes

This section outlines what you and professionals hope your child will achieve with the EHCP in place.

Focus on:

• Clear, measurable goals (e.g., improve reading skills to age-appropriate level)

• Social and emotional development targets

• Independence and life skills

  
  

Setting realistic and specific outcomes helps the local authority understand the purpose of the plan.

6. Provision Required

Here, specify the exact support your child needs to meet the outcomes.

Examples:

• Hours of specialist teaching

• Speech and language therapy sessions

• Equipment or resources needed

  
  

Be detailed and link the provision directly to your child’s needs and goals.

7. Placement Preferences

You can state your preferred school or educational setting.

Advice:

• Explain why this placement suits your child’s needs

• Include any visits or assessments that support your choice

  
  

The local authority considers your preference but will also assess suitability.

8. Additional Information

Use this space to add anything else relevant, such as family circumstances or cultural factors.

Practical Tips for Completing the EHCP Form

• Take your time: Don’t rush. Review each section carefully.

• Be honest and detailed: Provide a full picture of your child’s needs.

• Use evidence: Attach reports and assessments to support your statements.

• Keep copies: Save a copy of the completed form and all attachments.

• Ask for help: Seek advice from your child’s school, a special educational needs coordinator (SENCO), or local support groups.

  
  

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using vague language like “needs support” without explaining what kind

• Forgetting to include health needs or therapy details

• Overloading the form with unnecessary information that doesn’t relate to education or health

• Missing deadlines or submitting incomplete forms

  
  
  
  

What Happens After Submission?

Once you submit the EHCP request, the local authority has up to 20 weeks to decide. They will gather information from schools, health professionals, and others involved with your child.

You may be invited to meetings to discuss the plan and provide further input.

Final Thoughts on Completing Your Child’s EHCP

Filling out an EHCP form is a crucial step in securing the right support for your child. Focus on clear descriptions of needs, backed by evidence, and realistic goals. This helps the local authority understand your child’s unique situation and provide the best possible support.