Should I Request an EHCP?
An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is a legal document for children and young people aged 0–25 in England who need more support than their school can provide from its own resources. It describes your child's special educational needs, the outcomes you're working towards, and — crucially — the specific provision that must be delivered by law.
The key thing to understand: You have a legal right to request an EHCP assessment yourself. You do not need the school's permission. You do not need a diagnosis. The legal threshold is deliberately low — your child only needs to "may have" SEN and "may need" provision through a plan.
But having the right to request is not the same as getting one. Around 35% of requests are refused by local authorities, usually because there isn't enough documented evidence of what's been tried and why it isn't working. The stronger your evidence — SEN Support Plans, professional reports, school records, your own diary of daily impact — the harder it is for the LA to say no. This tool helps you understand where you stand and what to prepare before you apply.
Whatever this tool tells you, remember: you are not failing your child by being uncertain. The fact that you're here, thinking about this, means you're already advocating for them.