Making the Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan process clearer

You said:
Families and professionals told us they wanted the Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan process to be easier to understand, with clear information about how decisions are made.
We listened:
Together with groups of parents and multi-agency partners, we’ve created a new set of simple, easy to follow graphics that explain each key stage of the EHC plan process. These visuals show how decisions are made and how we work together to support children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Here’s what’s included:

1. Request to assess

This guide explains how we decide whether to carry out an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA). It covers:

Who provides input (families, schools, health and social care professionals, educational psychologists; our Multi Agency Team)
How the EHCNA Team Lead makes the decision
What happens next if the answer is yes or no
How often decisions are made

View the SEND decision making process diagrams (request to assess) (PDF)

2. Request to issue an Education, Health and Care plan

This guide shows how we decide whether to issue an EHC plan after an assessment. It includes:

Who contributes views and evidence (families and our Multi Agency Team)
The role of the head of SEND in making the decision
How families are informed and supported
How often decisions are made

View the SEND decision making process diagrams (request to issue an EHC plan) (PDF)

3. Annual Review – Changes to an EHC plan

This guide explains what happens after an Annual Review of an EHC plan. It highlights:

Who is involved in the review (families and our Multi Agency Team)
The role of the Area SEND Manager in decision making
How outcomes are shared with families
What additional services may be involved (for example Speech and Language Therapy or the Transitions Team)

View the SEND decision making – process diagrams Annual review (PDF)

We hope these visuals make the EHC plan process clearer and show how decisions are made in partnership with families and professionals. You may wish to visit our Education, Health and Care plan pages to find out more about them.

You may also find our updated guide on Ordinary Available Provision in schools useful for understanding the wide range of support available.

If you have any questions or would like to talk through any part of the process, please contact the EHCNA Team at EHCNAteam@surreycc.gov.uk or speak with your EHC plan Coordination Officer.

��