EHCP CHANGES: WHAT’S HAPPENING AND WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

There’s been a lot of concern recently about possible changes to Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). Understandably, many families are worried about what the government might decide, especially fears that EHCPs will no longer support children in mainstream settings. Let me reassure you: no such changes have been confirmed.

At the time of writing, the government has not announced any official policy change regarding EHCPs being removed from mainstream schools. Yes, there has been a lot of talk, reviews, and consultations, but nothing has been confirmed or implemented. EHCPs remain a legal document and they are not going to be scrapped overnight.

That said, I do believe the EHCP process needs to change for the better.

Right now, families face a confusing and often overwhelming system. Many parents simply don’t know how to start the process, how to navigate the requirements, or what their rights are. Too often, local authorities either don’t follow the law or aren’t aware of it themselves. EHCPs are sometimes poorly written, not properly followed, or ignored and there are no real consequences for this. Meanwhile, the government spends eye-watering amounts of public money fighting families at tribunal, where 95% of parents go on to win their case. This shows how broken the system has become.

Yes, change is needed but we need it to be change that helps our children, not restricts them further.

If the government does move forward with reforms, it’s important to remember that these things take time. Even once a decision is made, any new process will take months, often years, to fully roll out. EHCPs are legal documents with statutory backing. They cannot simply disappear overnight.

I’ll be keeping a close eye on developments, and will certainly share updates as I have them. My goal is to support families through these uncertain times and make sure you have clear up-to-date information.

So for now, please don’t panic. No change has been confirmed, and if or when change does come, we’ll face it together, informed, prepared, and still focused on getting the right support for your child.

Yours, Bryony