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What is an education, health and care plan

If your child has special educational needs (SEN) or may have SEN, they will get support from their education setting. The education setting will work with you to agree the best support for your child.

Before requesting an education, health and care (EHC) needs assessment, we recommend asking what help is available from your child's:

They are able to give your child extra support from their own resources.

This means that most children with SEN do not need an education, health and care (EHC) plan.

How an EHC plan can help your child

This video from Council for Disabled Children explains th education health and care (EHC) planning process.

What is an education, health and care (EHC) plan video transcript.

Education, health and care needs assessment

If your child isn't making the expected progress despite the support put in place, your education setting may suggest a formal assessment. This is known as an education, health and care needs assessment (EHCNA).

The assessment will check the current support for your child. It will also explore any extra assistance that can be given.

If needed, this may result in an education, health and care (EHC) plan.

An EHC plan

  • is written by Kent County Council

  • sets out clearly the parent, child or young person’s views and aspirations for the future

  • includes information and advice from the education, health or social care professionals who know or are working with the child or young person

  • describes the child or young person’s special educational needs and their strengths

  • states the outcomes that the EHC plan will support the child or young person to achieve

  • sets out clearly the support to be given to enable the child or young person to achieve the outcomes that are written in their EHC plan

  • is a legal document issued by the local authority that the education setting must follow

  • prepares the child or young person for adulthood

Still undecided if an education, health and care needs assessment (EHCNA) is right for your child? Read these helpful parent leaflets from Information Advice and Support Kent (IASK):

Request an education, health and care needs assessment

A EHCNA can be requested either by:

  • parents, carers or guardians
  • your child's education setting
  • you (if you're over the age of 16).

Request an EHCNA.