What is an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) Annual Review?
An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) annual review is a meeting that happens once a year to check whether the plan is still right for a child or young person.
It looks at what is going well, what has changed, and whether any support needs updating.
Annual reviews in Derbyshire are managed through the EHC Hub.
The Hub is an online system that brings together families, settings (early years, schools, colleges) and professionals. The Hub makes it easier for everyone to share information, stay updated, and work together during the review process. Guides and videos on How to use the EHC Hub are available for parents/carers and professionals.
Why do we have annual reviews?
The annual review helps to make sure that:
- the support in the EHCP is still working
- needs and goals are up to date
- everyone understands what is helping and what isn’t
- amendments can be made if things have changed
It is a chance for you to share your views, ask questions, and help shape the future.
What happens before the review?
- Collecting Information
The setting will gather important information, such as:
- progress
- reports from teachers
- any health or social care updates
- Setting a meeting date
The setting will invite:
- child or young person
- parent or carer
- teachers
- any professionals that provide support
What happens during the review?
- Looking at the EHCP
Everyone talks through each part of the EHCP to check if it is still correct. This includes:
- strengths
- needs
- support
- outcomes (the goals in your plan)
- Talking about progress
The group discusses:
- what is going well
- what isn't going well
- any changes that affect learning or support
- Planning for the future
You can talk about:
- what your child/young person wants to achieve
- what they enjoy
- what support help most
- what you might want to change
Your wishes and feeling are an important part of the meeting.
What happens after the review?
- The setting writes a report
Within two weeks, the setting should write a summary of the meeting.
This includes what was discussed and what everyone agreed.
- The local authority makes a decision
The local authority will look at the report and decide whether the EHCP should:
- stay the same
- be updated
- be stopped (this is rare and only happens if support is no longer needed
The local authority should give you their decision within four weeks of the meeting. Following the annual review, you will receive an emailed feedback survey about the annual review process. We would be grateful if you could take a few minutes to complete the survey. Your feedback directly shapes our services and ensures families get the best support possible.
How can you get ready for an annual review?
You and your child/young person might want to think about:
- What has gone well this year
- What has been difficult
- What helps with learning or feeling comfortable
- What goals you would like to work towards next
These thoughts can be written down, drawn, or talked through with someone you trust.
Who to talk to if you need help
If you need support with the annual review process, you can speak to:
Can a review happen more than once a year?
Yes. A review can happen at any time if needed. This might be because:
- Your child isn’t making the progress expected
- Their situation is getting worse
- They are at risk of being excluded
- Your child’s needs have changed a lot since the plan was last written
- The school feels it can’t meet your child’s needs
For younger children (up to 5), an EHCP may be reviewed more often, every 3 to 6 months if needed.