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Charities & family support

Getting an EHC plan (EHCP) for your child: a step-by-step guide for families in England

How to request an education, health and care needs assessment, the legal timescales, what to include, and where to get free independent help. Written for families of children with PURA syndrome.

By PURA Family Directory team · published

Information only, not medical advice. Every child with PURA syndrome is different. Please talk to your child's own doctors and therapists before making decisions about their care. In an emergency call 999; for urgent advice call NHS 111. Our disclaimer.

What an EHC plan is

An education, health and care (EHC) plan is for children and young people up to 25 who need more support than is available through ordinary special educational needs (SEN) support. It sets out their educational, health and social care needs and the support to meet them (GOV.UK). Many children with PURA syndrome have significant needs, so families often ask about an EHC plan early, sometimes before nursery.

Step 1: Ask for an EHC needs assessment

You can ask your local authority yourself. You don't have to wait for a nursery or school, and GOV.UK says doctors, health visitors and teachers can make a request too. IPSEA's template letters make it easier. IPSEA explains that the legal test is whether your child has or may have special educational needs and may need provision through an EHC plan. Local policies that ask for extra hurdles are not part of that legal test.

Step 2: The six-week decision

IPSEA explains that the local authority must tell you within six weeks whether it will carry out an assessment (SEND Regulations 2014, regulation 5). Note the date you sent your request. If the answer is no, you can appeal to the SEND Tribunal.

Step 3: The assessment

The local authority gathers advice from you, education, health (for example your child's paediatrician and therapists) and social care. IPSEA notes that those asked for advice must normally respond within six weeks. Helpful things to share include your own letter about your child's needs, therapy and medical reports, and the PURA Foundation's clinician handout. Describe communication, mobility, feeding, seizures and personal care in specific, everyday terms.

Step 4: The draft and final plan

GOV.UK says the local authority will tell you within 16 weeks whether a plan will be made. You will then get a draft plan, with at least 15 days to comment and to ask for a particular school. The final plan must be issued within 20 weeks of the request. Check that support is specific, for example 'speech and language therapy, 1 hour weekly, delivered by a qualified SLT', rather than vague phrases like 'access to'.

Free, independent help

IPSEA offers free legally based advice. Every area has an Information, Advice and Support Service (IASS), and GOV.UK points to the Council for Disabled Children's IAS network. Search your council's 'Local Offer' too. Contact can also help. Special Needs Jungle has parent-written guides.

Questions families ask

Can I request an EHC needs assessment for a pre-school child?

Yes. GOV.UK says parents, doctors, health visitors and anyone else who thinks an assessment may be necessary can make a request. A school or nursery place isn't a requirement. IPSEA's guide to asking for an assessment covers when to ask.

Does this apply in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland?

No. EHC plans are for England. Scotland uses Coordinated Support Plans, Wales uses Individual Development Plans, and Northern Ireland uses statements of SEN. Contact can point you to the right local guidance.

Sources

Checked 1 November 2026. Rules, rates and services change, so always check the latest version.

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