What is an EHCP?
An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is a legal document that describes the special educational, health and social care needs of a child or young person aged 0–25 in England, and the support that must be put in place to meet those needs.
The 20-week timeline begins the day the local authority (LA) receives a request for an EHC needs assessment. Each stage has a legal deadline.
Week 0 — You request an assessment
Anyone with parental responsibility, the young person themselves (16+), or the school can ask the LA for an EHC needs assessment in writing. Date your request and keep a copy. The LA must respond within 6 weeks.
Weeks 1–6 — The LA decides whether to assess
The LA gathers initial evidence from school, parents and any professionals already involved. By week 6 they must tell you in writing whether they will carry out a full assessment. If they refuse, you have 2 months to appeal to the SEND Tribunal.
Weeks 6–14 — Evidence gathering
If they agree to assess, the LA must seek advice from:
- You as the parent or carer
- The child or young person
- The school or setting
- An educational psychologist
- Health professionals (e.g. paediatrician, speech and language therapist)
- Social care if relevant
- Anyone else you reasonably request
Professionals have 6 weeks to send their reports.
Weeks 14–16 — The LA decides whether to issue a plan
By week 16 the LA must tell you whether they will issue an EHCP. If they decide not to, you have 2 months to appeal.
Weeks 16–18 — Draft plan
If they agree to issue a plan, you receive a draft EHCP with Section I (school named) left blank. You have at least 15 calendar days to:
- Comment on every section
- Request changes
- Name a preferred school or college
- Ask for a meeting to discuss the draft
Week 20 — Final EHCP issued
By week 20 the LA must issue the final EHCP. From this point you have 2 months to appeal Sections B (needs), F (provision) or I (placement) if you disagree.
What can delay the timeline?
Legally, very little. Exceptional circumstances such as the child being abroad for 4+ weeks, or school holidays of 4+ weeks during evidence gathering, can pause the clock — but late professional reports, staff shortages and "we're busy" are not valid reasons for delay.
If the LA misses a deadline:
- Write to the SEND team and quote the legal deadline
- Escalate to the Director of Children's Services
- Complain to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman
- Consider judicial review for serious delays
After the final EHCP
The plan must be reviewed at least every 12 months (every 6 months for under-5s). You can ask for an early review if your child's needs change, the placement breaks down, or the provision isn't being delivered.
Your rights at every stage
- See and comment on every report
- Attend meetings with a friend, advocate or supporter
- Request specific provision in Section F (it must be specific, quantified and detailed)
- Name any maintained school, academy, free school or further education college in Section I
- Appeal to the SEND Tribunal at the key decision points
Templates from Bright Steps
We have free templates for every stage of this process — assessment request letters, evidence trackers, parent impact statements, draft EHCP review checklists, appeal preparation checklists and more. Find them in EHCP / IEP → Templates.