About education, health and care (EHC) plans
Education, health and care (EHC) plans look at all your child's needs and brings together education, health and care services to achieve agreed outcomes. The focus is very much on what is important for children and young people – what they and you want to achieve now and in the future.
EHC plans are available from birth to 25 years old. Children, young people and families are at the centre of the assessment and planning process and 16 - 25 years old should be especially involved in the planning.
We will make sure you have time to prepare for meetings and share your views. You can come to any tests or assessments your child needs. We are responsible for making sure all the services are brought together and that the plan is well co-ordinated.
EHC needs assessment eligibility guidance
The London Borough of Bromley works closely with educational settings and other partners to ensure that children and young people (CYP) with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can access the right support at the earliest possible opportunity. All pre-schools, schools and colleges are expected to meet the needs of CYP with SEND and strive to be fully inclusive. Most children and young people with SEND receive support through high quality teaching/practice and interventions and provision offered at SEN support level, without the need for an Education, health and care plan (EHCP).
Educational settings follow a graduated approach to meeting needs, using an Assess; Plan; Do; Review process. This is outlined in the SEND Code of Practice (0-25) 2015 – statutory guidance published by the Department of Education.
Educational settings must make reasonable adjustments to avoid disadvantage and ensure CYP can access learning and development. CYP with medical needs should be supported with their physical and mental health to remain healthy and achieve their potential. It is essential to ensure that every relevant reasonable adjustment, intervention and high quality teaching/practice have been put in place at SEN Support level, in support of a CYP’s learning, care and health needs.
Guidance documents. (Bromley Education matters website)
What is an EHC plan and who is it for
Requesting an EHC needs assessment
Find out how to request an EHC needs assessment using our online tool.
Download Education Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment guide
If you need support to complete this request please contact the Information Advice and Support service for help and advice
Using the EHCP Portal
The EHCP portal is a secure, online platform created with parents and children/young people in mind. The EHCP Portal allows you to request an EHC plan assessment, to track the progress of your EHC plan and view deadlines, reports and evidence submitted by professionals.
Guidance for using the ECHP portal can be downloaded from the Bromley Education Matters website.
Issuing EHC plans
We will decide whether to give your child an education, health and care (EHC) plan after a formal assessment of their needs. We will complete the assessment and planning within 20 weeks..
If we decide not to make an EHC plan
We will tell you within 16 weeks of starting the education, health and care assessment if they decide not to make a plan for your child. Even if we don't give your child a plan, we may still offer them support..
Find out more about SEN support
Find out more about funded inclusion plans
Appealing
You have two months to appeal to a tribunal if Bromley Council decide not to make an EHC plan. We will tell you how to appeal.
If we decide to make an EHC plan
Bromley Council will write an EHC plan for your child if we decide your child's needs cannot be met by their current school or nursery's arrangements.
The plan will set out the long term outcomes and the help that will be provided. We will explain the help that is available and involve you in decisions about how any funding is used. In some cases you may be able to receive a personal budget. You and your child should be central to developing the plans and involved at every stage. We will discuss the plan with you. You'll be able to comment on the draft plan before the final one is issued.
View an example of our Bromley EHC plan template (PDF - 299.66 KB)
If your child is due to start or change school in September you must tell Bromley Council which school you'd like your child to go to within 15 days of receiving the draft EHC plan.
Find out more about naming a school
Appeals
if you disagree with the final plan you can make an appeal. We will tell you how to appeal. Find out more about mediation.
Reviewing the EHC plan
Bromley Council review you child's plan every year in a meeting with you and potentially your child.
During the meeting you will:
- check the support your child has received over the past year has helped them to make progress
- see if your child's needs have changed in any way
- plan for the next year
- See if the plan is still suitable or needs changing.
View an example of our Bromley EHC plan annual review template (PDF - 269.71 KB)
Find out more about what is an annual review of an Education, Health and Social Care (EHC) plan.
Year 9 review of EHC plans (age 13-14)
Being supported towards gaining greater independence and learning skills towards employment can be life-changing for children and young people with SEND. Preparing for adulthood should happen from their earliest years and no later than by Year 9 (age 13 or 14).
Year 9 annual review will be the first of several transition/planning meetings that take place every year with the young person until they leave school in Year 11 or Year 14 where the focus should be around preparing for adulthood.
Visit our transition from year 9 - preparing for adulthood page for more information which includes useful resources to support your child or young person through the process.
My Life, My Review
These printable resources provide useful tools for practitioners and families when engaging with children and young people with special educational needs (SEND). The resources will enable practitioners and families to turn good intentions into effective practice, enabling children, young people with SEND to be involved in discussions and decisions about their individual support.
Download My Life My Review booklet (PDF - 377.21 KB)
Download My Life My Review pupil contribution form (PDF - 145.75 KB)
Download My Life My Review pen passport portrait (print version PDF - 152 KB)
Download Personal Profile Guide – All About me (print version PDF - 1.92 MB)
Download Personal Profile Guide – All about me - Easy read guide (print version PDF - 1.5 MB)
Download Person Centred Planning - easy read guide (print version PDF - 1.52 MB)
Changes to the EHC plan
We will always ask for your views before changing your child's plan. You can appeal to the special educational needs and disability tribunal if you disagree with the changes.
Find out more about the tribunal
Making the "C" in EHC plans count
C” is for care; your child’s care should be an important aspect of his or her growth. Education, Health and Care Plans should include outcomes for your child/young person’s Social Needs (such as greater independence and meeting friends).The plan must include their views.
There are documents to help you and your child with EHC outcomes.These include examples of questions your SENCO or family support worker may ask you before your EHC plan meeting to generate a conversation about your son/daughter’s social needs and a young person's social needs toolkit.