Coronavirus (COVID-19)

During the coming weeks, we know that some schools and colleges are closing or partially closing, which will affect EHC assessments, EHCP reviews and provision in school during this time. All of our advice for schools and parents about Coronavirus and its impact on SEND is available here.

Devon Information Advice and Support (DiAS) also offer information about coronavirus, school, education and SEND.

Professionals Guidance using the EHC Hub for Reviews

This guidance is also available as a downloadable document

Guidance for professionals on EHCP Reviews using the EHC Hub

Additional Guidance

Guidance for parents using the EHC Hub for reviews

Guidance for settings using the EHC hub for reviews

  • What is an EHCP Review?

    EHC plans should be used to actively monitor children and young people’s progress towards their outcomes and longer-term aspirations. They must be reviewed by the local authority as a minimum every 12 months. Reviews must focus on the child or young person’s progress towards achieving the outcomes specified in the EHC plan. The review must also consider whether these outcomes and supporting targets remain appropriate.

    SEND code of Practice 9.166

    When should an EHCP Review be held?

    The first review must be held within 12 months of the date when the EHC plan was issued, and then within 12 months of any previous review SEND code of Practice 9.169

  • To support professionals involved with ECHP reviews we have asked education settings to give as much notice as possible that a meeting will be happening. We have asked they give at least a 16 weeks’ notice.

    You will receive your invitation through the EHC Hub

    Account registration step by step guide

    A short video on accepting/declining your invitation on the EHC Hub

  • Prior to the meeting taking place you will be asked to contribute your views towards the meeting. We are advising SENDCOs to request this information six weeks before the meeting takes place. It must be provided at least two weeks prior to the meeting.

    You will be asked for this information even if you are unable to attend.

    A short video on sharing your views prior to the meeting

    You will be asked to contribute your views on the following;

    • To comment on how you feel progress is being made towards the outcomes set out in the current
    EHC Plan
    • What has been working well and is helping the child or young person to achieve each outcome
    • If there any changes needed to each outcome
    • If there any additional short-term targets needed to support the child or young person to achieve
    each outcome
    • If your service has not previously been involved and are therefore unable to comment on the
    current outcomes you may wish to submit a report for discussion

    • The meeting must focus on the child or young person’s progress towards achieving the outcomes specified in the EHC plan, and on what changes might need to be made to the support provided to help them achieve those outcomes, or whether changes are needed to the outcomes themselves. Children, parents and young people should be supported to engage fully in the review meeting
      ~ Code of Practice 9.176

      During the meeting

      • Consider the child or young person’s progress towards the outcomes and whether they are still appropriate
      • Consider what provision is required to help the child or young person prepare for adulthood and independent living
      • Review any interim targets set by the early years provider, school or college or other education provider
      • Set new interim targets for the coming year and, where appropriate, agree new outcomes
      • Take account of the views, feelings and wishes of the child, young person and parent, including their right to a personal budget
      • Review any arrangements for direct payments
      • For children and young people in Year 9 a discussion should take place about preparing for further education and/or adulthood.
      • The meeting chair should ensure that the views on how the child or young person is currently progressing towards each outcome, as well as any recommendations for changes/ amendments to the EHC Plan are accurately recorded

      Any documents or notes taken in the can be attached to the EHC Hub

      • The school (or, for children and young people attending another institution, the local authority) must prepare and send a report of the meeting to everyone invited within two weeks of the meeting. The report must set out recommendations on any amendments required to the EHC plan, and should refer to any difference between the school or other institution’s recommendations and those of others attending the meeting

        Contents of the Report

        The report is a result of the discussions held at the review meeting and the views/ information provided ahead of that meeting

        • Each section of the report includes a view on how the child or young person is currently progressing towards each outcome, as well as any recommendations for changes/ amendments to the EHC Plan
        • The Local Authority will consider the contents of the report and any supporting documentation/ evidence and will publish their decision on whether the EHC Plan needs to be amended, ceased or maintained in its current form until the next EHCP review
        • The report should be complied and submitted as soon after the meeting as soon as possible
        • The report MUST be submitted within 2 weeks of the meeting taking place
        • The report should be shared with all those invited to the meeting within 2 weeks
        (The hub will do this automatically for those using the hub. For those who are unable to access the hub the report can be downloaded and sent)

      • Within four weeks of the review meeting, the local authority must decide whether it proposes to keep the EHC plan as it is, amend the plan, or cease to maintain the plan, and notify the child’s parent or the young person and the school or other institution attended

        The Local Authority will decide to

        • Keep the current EHC Plan as it is
        • Amend the EHC Plan
        • Cease to maintain the EHC Plan

        They will also include a brief reason for their decision

        Keep the current EHC Plan as it is

        The plan will continue to be maintained and will be reviewed within 12 months of the review being concluded

        Amend the EHC Plan

        If the plan needs to be amended, the local authority should start the process of amendment without delay ~ Code of Practice 9.176

        An amended draft plan will be shared with parents and professionals involved and parents given at least 15 calendar days for the parent or young person to comment and make representations on the proposed changes

        Cease to maintain the EHC Plan

        The Local authority may decide to cease a plan if:

        • The review evidences that outcomes have been met
        • LA no longer required to maintain plan as child/YP has moved out of area
        • Young person moving to higher education or employment

        The local authority must notify the child’s parent or the young person of their right to appeal that decision and the time limit for doing so, of the requirement for them to consider mediation should they wish to appeal, and the availability of information, advice and support, and disagreement resolution services. Code of Practice 9.206


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        • Updated 29/06/20

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