Education, health and care (EHC) plan

The review must be undertaken in partnership with the child and their parent or the young person and must take account of their views, wishes and feelings.

Review the special educational provision made and the impact this has had on access to teaching and learning and progress. This could include the need to obtain additional professional advice or reports.

Review the health and social care provision (if relevant) made and its effectiveness in ensuring good progress towards outcomes. This could include the need to get additional professional advice or report.

The meeting convener must give at least two weeks' notice of the date of the meeting to relevant attendees.

These should include:

• the child's parents or the young person
• a representative of the school or institution attended
• a local authority SEN officer
• a health service representative
• a local authority social care representative
• any other individuals relevant to the review

Information gathered in anticipation of the annual review should be issued to all invitees 2 weeks before the review meeting taking place. Anyone unable to attend the meeting can submit a report, or their views, to be considered. This online form is for children and young people in Year 8 and under only. Please see the Preparing for Adulthood section for the older students.

Following the review meeting, the school will send a copy of the report to the local authority, parents and all those invited to attend the meeting.

Should schools and settings like to use a template to help them with their planning meetings, please contact [email protected] to request a copy.

Please see the next section for students in Year 9 or above (Preparing for Adulthood)

Within 4 weeks of the review meeting, we must decide whether to keep the plan as it is, amend the plan or cease to maintain the plan and notify the child's parent or the young person and the educational establishment.

If it is agreed that the plan needs to be amended, we will start this process without delay. If we decide not to make the recommended amendments to the plan or to cease the plan, the child's parent or the young person will be given information on their right to appeal and the time limits for doing so and the requirements to consider mediation intervention.

It should be noted that EHC plans are not expected to be amended on a very frequent basis.

All reviews taking place from year 9 at the latest and onwards must include a focus on preparing for adulthood including employment, independent living and participation in society. This transition planning must be built into the EHC plan and where relevant should include effective planning for young people moving from children to adult health and care services. It is particularly important in these reviews to seek and record the views, wishes and feelings of the child or young person.

The review meeting organiser should invite representatives of post-16 institutions, particularly where the young person has expressed a desire to attend a specific institution. Review meetings taking place in year 9 should focus on considering options and choices for the next phase of education.

As the young person is nearing the end of their time in formal education, and the plan is likely to be ceased within the next 12 months, the annual review should consider good exit planning. Support, provision and outcomes should be agreed that will ensure the smooth transition to whatever they will be doing next, for example moving to higher education, employment, independent living or adult care.

Reviews where a child or young person does not attend a school or educational institution

Annual reviews for these children and young people are convened and held by a local authority representative. The meetings themselves will be held at a venue agreed with the parent or the young person and the local authority. The process is as described above.

Part of the commitment to make Northamptonshire a person-centred authority is to obtain the opinion of children and young people with special educational needs about their lives.

Viewpoint, as an approved international provider and designer, has been commissioned by the local authority to create an online survey for children and young people who have a current Education Health and Care plan.

Visit the Viewpoint login page, the organisation is NhantsEHC, then enter the student login ID and password that was issued with the annual review letter.

The survey should be completed by each child or young person when their annual review is due, to inform the SEN Officer who will review the EHC plan. The survey has been developed with the help of local young people with SEND and local school staff. Details for students' unique and secure login and password are distributed to the school or education setting by the EHC admin team.

The school will be able to view the individual's results and a report about their school. Schools can be provided with their own 'manager access'.

There are 2 styles, one for those who struggle with reading and comprehension and one for students who don't. Both surveys can be listened to, as well as read.

Young people should be able to complete the survey independently but will need encouragement to participate.