Check deadlines

EHCPs in County Durham: deadlines, contacts and local help

Everything you need to ask for, check or challenge an EHCP with Durham County Council, in one place.

77.6%

of new EHCPs here were issued on time in 2025. England: 46.1%.

On this page

In short

  • In 2025, 77.6% of new EHCPs in County Durham were issued within the legal 20 weeks (about 8 in 10). The England average was 46.1%.
  • The law and the deadlines are the same in every council in England.
  • Free, independent help is available from Durham SENDIASS.

How County Durham is doing on the 20-week deadline

77.6%

of new plans issued within 20 weeks in 2025, up from 18.3% in 2024.

46.1%

England average in 2025.

684

new EHC plans issued by County Durham in 2025.

Source: Department for Education, Education, health and care plans, published June 2026. Figures exclude the few cases where the law allows a delay. See how every council in England compares.

County Durham does better than the England average, but some families still wait longer. That puts County Durham at number 44 of 147 councils in our EHCP league table. If your child’s plan is late, read what to do if the council misses an EHCP deadline.

Check your child’s EHCP deadlines

County Durham must meet the same legal time limits as every council in England. Answer two questions to see the dates that apply to your child, and get a free email reminder a week before each one.

Question 1 of 2

Where are you in the EHCP process?

Who to contact in County Durham

The council

Ask for an assessment

Durham County Council decides on EHC needs assessments and writes the plan. Parents can write to the SEND, Looked After and Vulnerable Groups Casework Team, Durham County Council, County Hall, Durham, DH1 5UJ, giving their child’s name, date of birth, school or setting and why they think an assessment is needed.

How to ask the council

Free and independent

Durham SENDIASS

Free, confidential advice about SEND and EHCPs, separate from the council. Phone 03000 267 007.

Visit their website

Other parents

Making Changes Together (MCT)

Local parents of children with SEND, working with the council to improve services.

Visit their website

Local services

County Durham Local Offer

The council’s directory of SEND services, schools and support in your area.

Open the Local Offer

Good to know. The council says a doctor, health visitor or nursery worker can also tell it an assessment may be needed and help with a request.

Getting an EHCP in County Durham: step by step

  1. Ask Durham County Council for an EHC needs assessment in writing. Use our free request letter. Read how to apply for an EHCP.
  2. Put the date the council received it into our deadline checker. The council must reply within 6 weeks.
  3. If the council agrees, it gathers advice from professionals. The final plan is due within 20 weeks of your request.
  4. Check the draft plan carefully. You have 15 days to comment. Use our draft plan checklist.
  5. If a deadline is missed, chase the council. If that doesn’t work, make a formal complaint, then go to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.

Questions parents ask

Does County Durham have its own rules for EHCPs?

No. Every council in England follows the same law: the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Regulations 2014. Durham County Council may publish its own guidance, but it can’t add extra tests, such as needing a diagnosis. Read the EHCP criteria.

What if County Durham says no?

You can appeal to the SEND Tribunal. Contact a mediation adviser first. The time limit is 2 months from the decision letter, or 1 month after your mediation certificate, whichever is later. Read how to appeal.

Can I name a school outside the council area?

Yes. You can ask for a school in another council area. The same legal tests apply. Read naming a school in an EHCP.

Nearby councils

The council responsible for your child’s EHCP is usually the one where your child lives, even if they go to school somewhere else. Nearby councils we cover: Northumberland, Gateshead, Sunderland, Stockton-on-Tees and Darlington. You can also see every council we cover.

Sources

Contacts last checked: 19 October 2026. If something has changed, please tell us.