Should you request an EHC needs assessment?
An EHCP is the strongest form of SEND support in England, because it is legally enforceable. Councils often discourage requests informally. This checks whether you have grounds, and gives you the deadlines that apply once you ask.
What this tool does not do
- It does not make a decision. Only the DWP, your council or the NHS can do that.
- England only. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate SEND systems.
- It cannot judge the strength of your evidence, which is what an appeal turns on.
- It is an estimate based on published rules and 2026/27 rates, not advice.
Common questions
What is an EHCP?
An Education, Health and Care plan is a legally binding document for a child or young person up to age 25 who needs more support than their school can provide from its own resources. It sets out their needs and the support the council must arrange, and it is enforceable in a way that ordinary SEN support is not.
Who can request an EHC needs assessment?
Anyone who thinks one may be necessary. A parent or carer, the young person themselves if they are 16 to 25, the school or nursery, a doctor or health visitor, or a family friend. You do not need the school to agree, and you do not need to go through the school at all.
How long does the process take?
The council has 6 weeks to decide whether to assess, 16 weeks to decide whether to issue a plan, and 20 weeks from your original request to issue the final plan. These are legal deadlines, not targets, and councils miss them routinely.
What if they refuse to assess?
You can appeal to the SEND Tribunal. A large proportion of appeals succeed, and many councils concede before the hearing. A refusal to assess is very often not the end.
Does my child need a diagnosis?
No. The legal test is whether the child may have special educational needs and may need provision through an EHC plan. A diagnosis can be useful evidence but its absence is not a lawful reason to refuse an assessment.