Check deadlines

Draft and final plan

How to check your draft EHCP, section by section

You have 15 days to comment on a draft EHCP. This is your best chance to get the plan right. Here is a checklist to go through it, section by section.

Last checked 19 October 2026 How we check our information

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In short

  • You have 15 days from receiving the draft plan to comment and ask for a school.
  • Focus on Sections B (needs), F (support) and I (school). These are the parts you can appeal.
  • Every need in B should have specific support in F. Vague words should be replaced with exact amounts.

When you get a draft EHCP, you have at least 15 days to comment, ask for changes, request a school and ask for a meeting. Focus first on Sections B, F and I, because those are the parts you can appeal.

Check the exact deadlines for your child

Before you start

  • Check the date you received the draft. Your 15 days start then.
  • Make sure you have all the reports in Section K. If any are missing, ask for them straight away.
  • Print the draft or open it where you can add comments.

Section A: views

Is your child’s voice there? Are your views accurately reflected? If not, ask for your own words to be used.

Section B: needs

  • Is every need from every report included?
  • Is each need described in detail, with how it affects your child?
  • Are needs written as needs, not as support? For example “Sam can’t follow multi-step instructions” is a need. “Sam needs a TA” is support and belongs in F.

Section E: outcomes

Are the outcomes specific and measurable? Are they ambitious enough, and linked to the needs in B?

Section F: support

This is the most important section.

  • Does each need in B have matching support in F?
  • Does each item say what, who, how often and for how long?
  • Have recommendations from the reports been included? If one has been left out, ask why.
  • Look for vague words: “access to”, “opportunities for”, “as appropriate”, “up to”, “regularly”.

Read our Section F guide for examples.

Section I: school

The draft should not name a school. You can ask for the school you want in your response. Read naming a school in an EHCP.

Health and social care

Check Sections C, D, G and H in the same way. Is every health and care need included, with specific support?

Sending your comments

  1. Write your comments in a letter or email, section by section. Quote the wording you want changed and suggest new wording.
  2. Ask for the school you want, if you haven’t yet.
  3. Ask for a meeting with the council if you want one. You have a right to one.
  4. Ask for a personal budget if you want one. Read EHCP personal budgets.
  5. Send it within 15 days and keep a copy.

If the final plan still isn’t right, you can appeal Sections B, F and I to the SEND Tribunal. The time limit is 2 months from the final plan, or 1 month after a mediation certificate, whichever is later.

To see what good wording looks like, compare your draft with our example EHCP.

Questions parents ask

Can I ask for more than 15 days?

Ask the council in writing as soon as you can. Councils can agree, but they don’t have to.

Why doesn’t the draft name a school?

The draft must not name a school. This gives you the chance to say which school you want before the plan is finalised.

What if the council ignores my comments?

Once the final plan is issued, you can appeal Sections B, F and I to the SEND Tribunal.

What to do next

Sources

This guide gives information, not legal advice. For advice about your child, contact IPSEA or your local SENDIASS. Both are free. If something here looks wrong or out of date, tell us.