Guides

The EHCP process, stage by stage, with the rules cited

• How Notedly works

  Record what happened. See every deadline. Check the plan. Send the right letter.

• Thinking about asking

  You believe your child may need an EHC needs assessment. Nothing has been sent yet.

• Assessment requested

  A request for an EHC needs assessment has gone to the council. The council has 6 weeks to say yes or no.

• Being assessed

  The council agreed to assess. It gathers advice from professionals and must reach a final plan, or tell you it won't issue one, within the 20-week limit.

• Assessment refused

  The council said no to assessing. You can go to mediation and appeal to the SEND Tribunal. Parents win most of these appeals.

• Plan refused

  The council assessed but decided not to issue a plan. You can go to mediation and appeal.

• Draft plan

  You have a draft. You have at least 15 days to comment, ask for changes and name a school.

• Final plan in place

  The plan is final. The council must secure everything in Section F. Reviews happen at least every 12 months.

• Annual review

  The plan is being reviewed. The council must tell you its decision within 4 weeks of the meeting.

• Appeal

  You are challenging a decision or the contents of the plan at the SEND Tribunal.

• Provision not delivered

  The plan says one thing and your child is getting another. The council has a legal duty to secure Section F.

• Every statutory deadline in the EHCP process

  The clocks the council and you must keep to, with the regulation for each.

• Plain-English glossary

  The words you will meet, and what they actually mean.

• What makes Section F enforceable

  The tests the checker runs, and why each one matters.