Check deadlines

EHCPs in Liverpool: deadlines, contacts and local help

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

97.3%

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

On this page

In short

  • In 2025, 97.3% of new EHCPs in Liverpool were issued within the legal 20 weeks (almost all). 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 Liverpool and Knowsley SENDIASS.

How Liverpool is doing on the 20-week deadline

97.3%

of new plans issued within 20 weeks in 2025, down from 97.9% in 2024.

46.1%

England average in 2025.

1,264

new EHC plans issued by Liverpool 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.

Liverpool does better than the England average, but some families still wait longer. That puts Liverpool at number 10 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.

Who to contact in Liverpool

The council

Ask for an assessment

Liverpool City Council decides on EHC needs assessments and writes the plan. The council suggests working with your child’s school SENCO, but parents can also email sen.team@liverpool.gov.uk directly to make a request.

How to ask the council

Free and independent

Liverpool and Knowsley SENDIASS

Free, confidential advice about SEND and EHCPs, separate from the council. Phone 0333 323 7768.

Visit their website

Other parents

Liverpool Parent Carer Forum (LivPaC)

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

Local services

Liverpool Local Offer

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

Open the Local Offer

Getting an EHCP in Liverpool: step by step

  1. Ask Liverpool City 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 Liverpool 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. Liverpool City Council may publish its own guidance, but it can’t add extra tests, such as needing a diagnosis. Read the EHCP criteria.

What if Liverpool 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: Wirral and Sefton. You can also see every council we cover.

Sources

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