What is an Annual Review?

An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) Annual Review is an opportunity to look at how well your child’s plan is working and whether it continues to reflect their current needs and the support they require.

The review brings together you, your child, school staff and other professionals involved in their education and care to share views, recognise progress and discuss any changes that may be needed.

The Local Authority is responsible for making sure the EHCP is reviewed at least once every 12 months. The review process helps everyone consider your child’s progress, their current needs, the support they receive and their hopes for the future.

How does the process work?

Before the meeting

We will contact you about the Annual Review and invite you to share your views. You will have the opportunity to tell us what is going well, what you are concerned about and whether anything has changed for your child. We want you to feel able to share your views openly, including any questions or concerns you may have.

Information will be gathered from you, your child, school staff and the professionals involved in supporting them. This helps everyone build a clearer picture of how your child is getting on, what is working well and whether anything needs to change. We will seek your child’s views in a way that is appropriate for them.

You will receive at least 2 weeks’ notice of the meeting. The information gathered for the annual review will be shared with those invited to the meeting at least 2 weeks before the meeting so that everyone has time to prepare.

During the meeting

The meeting is an opportunity to discuss your child’s progress, their strengths and achievements and any difficulties they may be experiencing. Together we will look at whether their current needs, outcomes and the support described in their EHCP remain appropriate.

You know your child in a way that others may not. What you share about their experiences, progress and needs helps us understand the bigger picture. Your child’s views are also central to the review.

We will discuss any changes that may be needed to the EHCP and record the information and recommendations on the Annual Review form. This, along with the information gathered for the review, is sent to the Local Authority and to those who were invited to the meeting within 2 weeks of the meeting.

The meeting makes recommendations and it's the Local Authority, not the school, who makes the final decision about the EHCP.

For students in Year 9 and above, the review also looks ahead to adulthood, including next steps in education or work, developing independence, taking part in the community and maintaining health and wellbeing.

After the meeting

The completed Annual Review form, including any recommendations made, is sent to the Local Authority. The Local Authority must notify you of its decision within 4 weeks of the Annual Review meeting.

There are 3 possible outcomes:

Maintain: The Local Authority decides that the EHCP should remain as it is. You should receive written confirmation of this, including your rights to appeal should you disagree with the decision. A new version of the EHCP is not automatically issued as the existing plan remains in place.

Amend: The Local Authority decides that changes are needed. They will send you a draft EHCP showing the suggested changes, together with supporting information and you will have 15 days to make any comments. The Local Authority must issue the final amended EHCP within eight weeks of sending you the suggested amendments in the draft EHCP.

Cease: In some circumstances, the Local Authority may decide the EHCP is no longer needed. If this is being considered they will write to you explaining the reasons and give you information about your right to appeal.

Why is your contribution important?

Your knowledge of your child, their experiences and what helps them is an important part of the Annual Review. We want the process to be a genuine opportunity to work together, recognise progress and identify what your child needs going forward.

If you have questions or concerns before the meeting, please contact the school. You do not need to wait until the Annual Review to share something important about your child’s needs or support.