Information on the process and reasons for an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) ending
An EHCP can cease at any time in a child or young persons education, as part of the Annual Reviews process, where a child or young person has successfully met the outcomes they have been working towards. Outcomes help a young person reach goals for education and that includes support for their future independence.
As young people reach year 9 or 14 years of age goals should be updated to focus on:
- Employment
- Independent living
- Community Inclusion
- Health
An EHCP coming to an end should be a time to celebrate the young persons achievements.
A decision to cease an EHCP may arise from:
- Where the child or young person has met the outcomes in their EHCP and needs can be met by Ordinarily Available Provision.
- Whether the young person is making clear progress (level 1 to level 2 for example)
- Have the outcomes in the EHCP been met or can potentially be met by another support service for example a social care package or managed through another team. For example - "X will be able to travel to and from their local town independently"
- Is the young person accessing employment
- Are all those attending the review in agreement to cease the EHCP.
- If the families, guardians or young people feel that there are significant goals they still require support with and have not been achieved, the decision to cease an EHCP will be discussed collectively.
- Continuing on to university or higher education. However, as a student with Special Educational Needs and /or a Disability you can apply for Disability Student Allowance.
Step 1 - Notification of intention to cease an EHCP
Wiltshire Councils SEND Service will contact a young person/ education setting/ family member/ guardian or other key supporting adults to let them know they are intending to cease the EHCP. This will be by a letter sent digitally where possibly. A second official letter will follow with specific information and guidance about further steps.
Once you have received this email/letter if you have any concerns you wish to discuss you can contact your SEND Lead worker within 15 days. If your Lead Worker is not available for any reason you can contact the SEND Service Single Point of Contact:
Contacting the Wiltshire SEND team
Step 2 - Receiving your EHCP cease letter
If you feel you have achieved your goals set out in the EHCP and are able to continue on your journey through education, employment and independence without specialist intervention at the present time, you do not need to do anything.
If you are transitioning to another service to continue support with a more appropriate team you also do not need to do anything.
If you feel there are outstanding goals you have not met that will impact your future education, employment or independence without continued specialist support you can respond to the cease letter using the following guidance.
Step 3 - Responding to the cease letter if you are concerned about the EHCP ending
You can let your SEND lead worker know any concerns throughout this whole process, including why you think this decision is wrong, what you are not happy with and they will work with you to provide further support, signposting and look for solutions.
You can ask for a decision to be changed. You have a 3-step pathway to do this, you can ask for a 'Way Forward' meeting, mediation, or you can make an appeal.