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What should go into an EHC Plan guidance for SENCO's

This section explains what should go into an Education, Health and Care Plan.

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If the multi-agency SEND panel decides to assess a child and agrees that a child would benefit from an EHC Plan then the EHC Coordinator will continue to develop the Draft Plan with the young person, parents and local area professionals.

What should go into an EHC Plan

EHC Plans will:

  • identify needs

  • set out clear

  • relevant outcomes

  • specify the provision required to achieve those outcomes.

Outcomes must be co-produced with parent or carers and describe positively what the young person can do. They should tell the child or young person’s story well and coherently. The EHC plan must meet the requirements of part 3 of the Children and Families Act 2014, Regulations and the Code of Practice. 

As a statutory minimum, EHC plans must include the following sections. These must be separately labelled from each other using the letters below. The sections do not have to be in the order below. Local authorities may use an action plan in tabular format to include different sections and demonstrate how provision will be integrated.

  • Section A: The views, interests and aspirations of the child and his or her parents or the young person.

  • Section B: The child or young person’s special educational needs.

  • Section C: The child or young person’s health needs which are related to their SEN.

  • Section D: The child or young person’s social care needs which are related to their SEN or to a disability.

  • Section E: The outcomes sought for the child or the young person. This should include outcomes for adult life. The EHC plan should also identify the arrangements for the setting of shorter term targets by the setting or training provider.

  • Section F: The special educational provision required by the child or the young person.

  • Section G: Any health provision reasonably required which result in the child or young person having SEN. Where an Individual Health Care Plan is made for them, that plan should be included.

  • Section H1: Any social care provision which must be made for a child or young person under 18. This is resulting from section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970.

  • Section H2: Any other social care provision reasonably required. This will include any adult social care provision being provided to meet a young person’s eligible needs under the Care Act 2014.

  • Section I: The name and type of the setting or institution to be attended by the child or young person and the type of that institution. Where the name of a school or other institution is not specified, the type of school or other institution to be attended by the child or young person.

  • Section J: Where there is a Personal Budget, the details of how the Personal Budget will support particular outcomes. This includes the provision it will be used for and any flexibility in its usage and the arrangements for any direct payments for education, health and social care. The special educational needs and outcomes that are to be met by any direct payment must be specified.

  • Section K: The advice and information gathered during the EHC needs assessment must be attached (in appendices). There should be a list of this advice and information.

In addition, where the child or young person is in year 9 or above, the EHC plan must include the provision required to assist in preparation for adulthood. This includes support for finding employment, housing or for participation in society.