What is the Annual Review of an EHC Plan?

In accordance with the legislation, an EHC plan should be used to actively monitor children and young people’s, with special educational needs (SEN), progress towards their outcomes and longer term aspirations. The statute contains that these plans must be reviewed by the Local Authority at a minimum of every 12 months.

The review has many aims. In summary of those aims:

• It must focus on the child or young person’s progress towards achieving the specific outcomes,
• The review should gather information from multiple sources to ensure that these findings can be utilised within the review,
• It must consider their continued appropriateness of the plan in light of the child or young person’s previous year in development, and
• The review should consider whether changes are required including any changes to the outcome, enhanced provisions, change of educational establishment or whether the EHC plan should be discontinued in its entirety

It is essential that the review is undertaken in partnership with the child and their parents to consider their views, wishes and feelings.

Even if it is the case the individual is subject to an appeal, it is a statutory requirement that these reviews take place at a minimum of every 12 months and therefore a review will take place if an appeal is ongoing. While each case is different, it is important that parents take clear notes of the review meeting and it is always advisable to follow up the meeting by email confirming the notes from the meeting and asking for the draft of the revised EHC plan for review and approval .

For further information and guidance or assistance in attending annual review meetings, please contact Chloe May on 01604 887464 or by email on chloe.may@maxengel.co.uk