In short
- Every EHCP in England has the same 12 sections, labelled A to K. The law says what each one must contain.
- The three most important are B (needs), F (education support) and I (school). You can appeal all three.
- Each need in Section B should have matching support in Section F.
The sections at a glance
| Section | What it covers |
|---|---|
| A | Your child’s views, interests and hopes, and your views as a parent |
| B | Your child’s special educational needs |
| C | Health needs linked to their SEN |
| D | Social care needs linked to their SEN or disability |
| E | Outcomes: what your child is working towards |
| F | Special educational provision: the support they must get |
| G | Health provision |
| H1 and H2 | Social care provision |
| I | The school, college or other setting |
| J | Personal budget, if there is one |
| K | The advice and information gathered during the assessment |
Section A: views, interests and aspirations
This is your child’s voice, and yours. It should say what your child enjoys, what they find hard, what works for them, and their hopes for the future. You can write this yourself. Read our guide to writing your parent views.
Section B: special educational needs
Section B describes all of your child’s special educational needs. Every need should be listed, even ones the school manages well. If a need is missing from B, it is much harder to get support for it in F.
Section E: outcomes
Outcomes are the changes the support should make, for example “By the end of Year 5, Sam will be able to ask an adult for help when he is stuck.” Good outcomes are specific and can be measured.
Section F: education support
This is the legally enforceable support. It must be detailed, specific and usually quantified, for example who does what, how often and for how long. Read our guide to Section F.
Sections C, D, G and H: health and social care
These sections cover health and social care needs, and the support for them. The health service provides the support in G. The council’s social care team provides the support in H.
Section I: placement
Section I names the school or college, or the type of school. If you asked for a particular school and the council named a different one, you can appeal. Naming a school in an EHCP.
Sections J and K
Section J sets out any personal budget. Section K lists all the advice gathered during the assessment, such as reports from the school, an educational psychologist and health professionals. You should get copies of all of these.
Tip. When you get a draft plan, check that every need in B has support in F. Use our draft plan guide to go through it section by section.
Not sure what a term means? See EHCP jargon explained.
Questions parents ask
Which sections can I appeal?
Sections B, F and I. The tribunal can also make recommendations about health and social care sections when you appeal.
Does every section have to be filled in?
Every section must be included. Some may say there is nothing to add, for example if your child has no social care needs.
What is Section K?
The advice and information gathered during the assessment, attached to the plan.
