SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide to Special Educational Needs Support

Q: What is the difference between SEN Support and an EHCP?

SEN Support is the first level: the school provides additional help using its own resources (differentiated teaching, small group work, specialist programmes). An EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) is a legal document for children with more complex needs, requiring a formal assessment by the local authority. An EHCP names a specific school and sets out legally binding provision.

Q: How do I request an EHCP assessment?

You can request an EHC needs assessment by writing to your local authority. You do not need the school's agreement. The local authority has 6 weeks to decide whether to assess, then 20 weeks to complete the assessment and issue a plan. The whole process should take no more than 20 weeks from request to final EHCP.

Q: Can I choose which school my EHCP child attends?

Yes. You have the right to request a specific school (mainstream or special) to be named in your child's EHCP. The local authority must comply with your preference unless: (a) the school is unsuitable for the child, (b) it would be incompatible with the efficient education of other children, or (c) it would be an inefficient use of resources.

Q: What percentage of children have SEN in England?

Approximately 17% of pupils in England are identified as having SEN. Of these, about 13% receive SEN Support (additional help from the school) and about 4% have an EHCP (a legal document with formal provision). Rates vary significantly between schools — Classpot shows the SEN percentage for each school.

Approximately one in six children in England has a special educational need or disability (SEND). Navigating the system — from getting the right support at school to applying for an Education, Health and Care Plan — can feel overwhelming. This guide explains your rights, the process, and how to choose the right school for your child.

What Counts as a Special Educational Need?

The SEND Code of Practice (2015) defines four broad areas of need:

Communication & Interaction

Speech and language difficulties, autism spectrum condition (ASC), selective mutism

Cognition & Learning

Dyslexia, dyscalculia, moderate/severe learning difficulties (MLD/SLD)

Social, Emotional & Mental Health

ADHD, anxiety, depression, attachment difficulties

Sensory and/or Physical Needs

Visual impairment, hearing impairment, physical disability, sensory processing difficulties

Two Levels of Support: SEN Support vs EHCP

Level 1: SEN Support (~13% of pupils)

The school identifies your child's needs and provides additional support using its own budget and resources. This is coordinated by the school's SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) through an “Assess, Plan, Do, Review” cycle.

Differentiated teaching and modified curriculum
Small group interventions (reading catch-up, speech therapy programmes)
One-to-one support for specific tasks
Specialist equipment or resources
Regular meetings with parents to review progress

Level 2: EHCP (~4% of pupils)

An Education, Health and Care Plan is a legal document for children with more complex needs that cannot be met through SEN Support alone. It names a specific school and sets out detailed provision that the local authority must fund and deliver.

Legally binding — the provision described must be delivered
Can name a mainstream school, special school, or specialist provision
Reviewed annually (Annual Review meeting)
Covers education, health and social care needs
Continues until age 25 if the young person remains in education/training

How to Request an EHCP Assessment

You can request an EHC needs assessment at any point. You do not need the school's agreement or permission. Write a letter to your local authority's SEND team requesting an assessment. Include:

Your child's name, date of birth, school
A description of their difficulties and how these affect learning
What support is currently in place and why it is not sufficient
Any professional reports (educational psychologist, speech therapist, paediatrician)

Week 1–6

Decision to assess

The local authority has 6 weeks to decide whether to carry out an assessment. If they refuse, you can appeal to the SEND Tribunal.

Week 6–16

Assessment

Professionals gather evidence: educational psychologist assessment, speech and language therapy report, school's views, your views, health information.

Week 16–20

Draft EHCP issued

You receive a draft EHCP to check. You have 15 days to comment and request a school placement. Then the final EHCP is issued (week 20).

Choosing the Right School for a Child with SEND

When choosing a school for a child with SEND, look beyond Ofsted ratings and exam results. Key questions to ask:

What is the SENCO's experience and qualification? (All SENCOs must hold the National Award for SEN Coordination)
What percentage of pupils have SEND? What types of need do they support?
How is the SEN budget spent? Do they employ specialist TAs, therapists, mentors?
What does “Assess, Plan, Do, Review” look like in practice?
How do they communicate with parents about progress?
What reasonable adjustments are in place (sensory rooms, movement breaks, exam access arrangements)?
Ask to meet the SENCO during your school visit — a good school will welcome this.

Classpot shows which SEND provisions each school offers (speech and language, ASD, hearing impairment, etc.) so you can filter schools by the specific support your child needs.

Mainstream vs Special School: What's Right for Your Child?

Most children with SEND attend mainstream schools — and most thrive there with the right support. Special schools cater for children with more complex needs and typically have much smaller classes (6–12 pupils), specialist staff and therapeutic environments.

If your child has an EHCP, you have the right to request either type. The decision should be based on your child's individual needs, not assumptions about what children with a particular diagnosis “should” do. Many families visit both mainstream and special schools before deciding.

Your Legal Rights

1Schools cannot refuse to admit a child because they have SEND (unless the school genuinely cannot meet their needs after reasonable adjustments).
2You can request an EHC needs assessment at any time — the school does not need to agree.
3If the local authority refuses to assess, or you disagree with the content of an EHCP, you can appeal to the SEND Tribunal (free).
4The SEND Tribunal can order the local authority to assess, issue an EHCP, change the named school, or increase provision.
5Annual Reviews must happen every year — you must be invited and your views must be considered.
6If provision in the EHCP is not being delivered, the local authority is in breach of its legal duty.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between SEN Support and an EHCP?

SEN Support is school-level help using the school's own resources. An EHCP is a legal document from the local authority with funded, binding provision for more complex needs.

How do I request an EHCP assessment?

Write to your local authority's SEND team. Include details of your child's needs, current support, and any professional reports. The LA has 6 weeks to decide whether to assess.

Can I choose which school my EHCP child attends?

Yes. You can request a specific mainstream or special school. The local authority must comply unless it would be unsuitable or an inefficient use of resources.

What percentage of children have SEN in England?

About 17% — 13% receive SEN Support and 4% have an EHCP. Classpot shows the SEN percentage for each school so you can see how experienced a school is with SEND.

Find schools with SEND support

Filter schools by SEND provisions — speech and language, ASD, hearing impairment and more. Compare SEN percentages and Ofsted ratings.

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