REVIEWING YOUR DRAFT EHCP

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Your child has been offered an EHCP. Now let's make sure it reflects their needs.

Receiving your child's draft Education, Health and Care Plan can feel like a huge milestone.

But before the plan is finalised, it's important to check that it accurately describes your child and clearly sets out the support they require.

An EHCP is only as useful as the information and provision written within it.

If important needs are missing, professional recommendations have been overlooked or support is described too vaguely, this can affect the provision your child receives.

You have an opportunity to review the draft and request changes before the final plan is issued.

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WHY IS REVIEWING THE DRAFT SO IMPORTANT?

Your child's EHCP should connect their identified needs with the provision required to meet them.

Two particularly important sections are:

Section B – Special Educational Needs

This should accurately identify and describe all your child's special educational needs.

Section F – Special Educational Provision

This should specify the educational support required to meet those needs, with sufficient detail about what will be provided, how often and by whom.

The Local Authority has a legal duty to secure the special educational provision specified in Section F.

If the provision isn't clearly written into the plan, it can be much harder to establish exactly what support your child should receive.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I RECEIVE THE DRAFT?

You must be given at least 15 days to review the draft, provide comments and request changes.

You can also request a meeting with the Local Authority to discuss its contents.

Before responding, it's important to consider the professional advice gathered during the assessment and whether the draft accurately reflects the identified needs and recommended provision.

You don't have to agree with everything in the draft simply because an EHCP has been offered.

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PERSONALISED DRAFT EHCP REVIEW SUPPORT

Let's make sure your child's needs are clearly communicated.

Reviewing an EHCP can feel overwhelming, particularly when you're faced with lengthy reports, unfamiliar terminology and different sections that need to connect.

Drawing on my experience in specialist SEMH/SEND education and EHCP processes, I can help you understand your child's draft plan and identify areas that may require clarification or amendment.

Support can include:

  • Reviewing the draft EHCP alongside relevant professional reports.

  • Identifying needs that may be missing or insufficiently described.

  • Considering whether the provision reflects your child's identified needs.

  • Highlighting vague or unclear wording.

  • Helping you organise your comments and requested amendments.

  • Preparing for discussions with the Local Authority.

Practical, personalised guidance to help you understand the draft and communicate your concerns with confidence.

[ENQUIRE ABOUT A DRAFT EHCP REVIEW]

Draft EHCP Review £225

An independent educational and SEND review of your child's draft EHCP.

Receiving the draft is an important opportunity to consider whether the plan accurately reflects the evidence gathered during the assessment and clearly describes your child's needs and provision.

Your service includes:

  • Review of the complete draft EHCP.

  • Review of agreed supporting professional evidence.

  • Consideration of identified needs within Section B.

  • Consideration of outcomes within Section E.

  • Review of the clarity and specificity of provision within Section F.

  • Identification of apparent omissions, inconsistencies or unclear wording.

  • Written observations and suggested areas for amendment.

  • Summary of recommended next steps.

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A FINAL WORD FROM MELISSA

Receiving a draft EHCP is an important step, but it's also your opportunity to consider whether the document truly reflects your child.

Take the time to read it, ask questions and raise concerns where necessary.

The aim isn't simply to have an EHCP. It's to have a plan that accurately identifies your child's needs and clearly specifies the support required to meet them.

Melissa Sladen
Founder, Sladen Advisory

Sladen Advisory provides independent educational and SEND guidance, not legal representation. Local Authority decisions and EHCP outcomes cannot be guaranteed.