What is an EHCP annual review? Post-16 process explained

An annual review is the point where everyone asks whether an EHCP is still right for the young person. It is also a chance to see whether the support in the plan has been delivered.

What does an annual review involve?

Section 44 of the Children and Families Act 2014 requires a local authority to review an EHC plan at least every 12 months. Regulations and the SEND code of practice set out the process: the young person and others are invited to a review meeting, relevant reports are shared beforehand, and a report of the meeting is produced. The local authority then decides whether to keep the plan as it is, amend it or cease it, and tells the young person. Where a plan is amended, the authority must follow the amendment process.

The review should consider progress towards outcomes, whether the provision is working, and whether the plan should change. At each review, the focus for older young people moves towards preparing for adulthood.

How does the annual review apply in FE and apprenticeships?

In FE, the college normally convenes the meeting on the local authority’s behalf, gathers advice from tutors, support staff and the young person, and sends the report to the authority within the code’s timescales. The young person, rather than their parents, makes the decisions about their review if they are over 16, subject to the Mental Capacity Act principles.

Colleges that keep clear records of support planned, delivered and missed, and of whether it helped, can bring real evidence to the meeting. Our guide to EHCP annual reviews post-16 has a practical checklist. A review of the plan is separate from a review of day-to-day support, and many providers run both. See the reviews page for how Inclusion Studio approaches the second.

Apprentices with EHCPs also have annual reviews. The training provider should coordinate with the apprentice, the employer where the apprentice agrees, and the local authority.

What is a common misconception about annual reviews?

People often think the review is a meeting for professionals to confirm the plan. It is meant to be a review of what has happened and what should change. Another misconception is that an EHCP ends automatically at a certain age. It continues until the authority ceases it, for example because the outcomes have been achieved or the young person no longer needs it, and the young person can appeal a decision to cease it to the First-tier Tribunal.

Where can you find the official source?

Read section 44 of the Children and Families Act 2014, the SEND Regulations 2014 and chapter 9 of the SEND code of practice: 0 to 25 years. Check them for the current timescales before advising a learner. If a young person disagrees with the outcome, see SEND tribunal.