Phase Transfer is the process that happens when a child or young person with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) moves from one stage of education to another.

What counts as a “new phase of education”?

Under Regulation 2 of the SEN and Disability Regulations 2014, a new phase of education means moving from:

  • Early years → School
  • Infant school → Junior school
  • Primary school → Middle school
  • Primary school → Secondary school
  • Middle school → Secondary school
  • Secondary school → Post‑16 education

 

The Phase Transfer Process

 

1. The process begins
It should start no later than the autumn term in the school year before the transfer is due to happen.

 

2. EHCP review by the Local Authority (LA)
The LA reviews the child or young person’s EHCP as part of the transition planning.

 

3. Proposed amendments
After the review, the LA sends the parent, carer, or young person a copy of the EHCP with the proposed amendments. Section I, which is the part of the plan where the place of learning will be named, is left blank at this stage.

 

4. Chance to respond
Parents, carers, or the young person have 15 calendar days to:

  • comment on the content of the EHCP, and
  • request a specific place of learning

 

5. Final amended EHCP issued
The LA must then issue a final EHCP by the legal deadlines, along with information about the right to appeal.

 

Statutory deadlines for issuing the final EHCP

  • 31 March – if transferring from secondary school to post‑16 education
  • 15 February – for all other phase transfers