Check deadlines

EHCPs in Warrington: deadlines, contacts and local help

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

73.6%

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

On this page

In short

  • In 2025, 73.6% of new EHCPs in Warrington were issued within the legal 20 weeks (about 7 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 Warrington SENDIASS.

How Warrington is doing on the 20-week deadline

73.6%

of new plans issued within 20 weeks in 2025, up from 59.7% in 2024.

46.1%

England average in 2025.

356

new EHC plans issued by Warrington 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.

Warrington does better than the England average, but some families still wait longer. That puts Warrington at number 50 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

Warrington 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 Warrington

The council

Ask for an assessment

Warrington Borough Council decides on EHC needs assessments and writes the plan. Fill in the council’s ‘EHCP Request – Parent – Young Person’ form and send it by email or by post to East Annexe, Town Hall, Sankey Street, Warrington, WA1 1UH. Explain why your child has or may have special educational needs and attach any reports you have.

How to ask the council

Free and independent

Warrington SENDIASS

Free, confidential advice about SEND and EHCPs, separate from the council. Phone 01925 442978.

Visit their website

Other parents

Warrington Parents and Carers Forum (WarrPAC)

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

Visit their website

Local services

Warrington Local Offer

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

Open the Local Offer

Good to know. The council suggests talking to your child’s school SENCO first, but you can ask for an assessment at any time. The SEND Team can help with questions on 01925 442175.

Getting an EHCP in Warrington: step by step

  1. Ask Warrington Borough Council for an EHC needs assessment in writing. Use our free request letter.
  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 Warrington 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. Warrington Borough Council may publish its own guidance, but it can’t add extra tests, such as needing a diagnosis. Read the EHCP criteria.

What if Warrington 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: St Helens, Wigan, Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester. You can also see every council we cover.

Sources

Contacts last checked: 22 October 2026. If something has changed, please tell us.