What Is a Draft EHCP? 

A draft Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is shared with parents or carers so they can check that it accurately describes a child or young person’s special educational needs and sets out the support required to meet those needs. 

The draft plan should be clear, specific and detailed, with provision that is fully quantified. This helps ensure the support can be delivered and monitored properly. 

Reviewing the Reports in Section K 

To check whether the draft EHCP is accurate, we recommend reviewing all the reports listed in Section K of the plan (these are usually attached to the email with the draft). 

A helpful method is to use two different coloured highlighters: 

  • Use one colour to highlight needs – what the child or young person struggles with and needs help or support with 

  • Use a second colour to highlight provision – what the school or setting is required to do to meet those needs 

Every identified need must have provision to support it. 
A single need may need more than one type of provision. 

When reading reports, make sure the whole document, is checked including introductions, conclusions and longer sections of text, as important needs or provision may be included there. 

Cross-referencing the EHCP 

Once the reports have been highlighted, check the draft EHCP carefully: 

  • All identified needs should appear in Section B 

  • All identified provision should appear in Section F 

The wording in Sections B and F should closely match what is written in the reports. Needs and provision should not be summarised or watered down. 

Checking Section F – Educational Provision 

Section F is legally enforceable and must be clear and specific. 

It's important to look out for vague or unclear wording, such as: 

  • “May benefit from” 

  • “Access to” 

  • “Regularly” 

  • “Opportunities for” 

Provision should always be quantified, for example: 

  • If the plan says, “small group support”, how many children are in the group? 

  • How often is the support provided? 

  • Who delivers it? 

Provision should not be left to discretion, such as: 

  • “As decided by the class teacher” 

  • “As appropriate” 

The EHCP should not be open to different interpretations. 

Checking Section E – Outcomes 

Although Section E (Outcomes) cannot be appealed, it is still very important. 

Outcomes should be SMART: 

  • Specific 

  • Measurable 

  • Achievable 

  • Realistic 

  • Time‑bound 

Clear outcomes help everyone understand what the provision is working towards. 

Asking for Changes to the Draft EHCP 

If amendments are needed to make to the draft plan: 

  • Send the suggested changes directly to the EHCP Co‑ordinator, or 

  • Ask for a draft planning meeting 

If a draft planning meeting is requested, the local authority must try to arrange this within 15 days. If the meeting cannot take place within that time, the plan cannot be finalised until the meeting has happened. 

Requesting a Place of Learning 

When responding to the draft EHCP, parents/carers and/or young people have the right to ask for a specific school or setting to be named in the plan.  

The local authority may consult with other schools or settings. If the preferred setting cannot be named for one of the legal reasons, the local authority must name a place of learning they believe is suitable.