The No Village Navigation Guide to EHCPs

A practical 106-page EHCP guide for parents and carers in England, explaining the Education, Health and Care Plan process in plain English, from requesting an assessment to understanding your child's plan, annual reviews and SEND Tribunal appeals.

Navigating the EHCP process can feel overwhelming, especially when you're already managing school concerns, appointments, reports, caring responsibilities and everyday family life.

You may be wondering whether your child needs an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), how to request an EHC needs assessment, what should happen next or what to do when a decision doesn't seem right.

The No Village Navigation Guide to EHCPs helps you understand the process, recognise important decision points, organise information and prepare questions without having to become an education-law expert overnight.

Understand the system. Know your rights. Take the next step.

What's included in this EHCP guide?

Across 106 pages and 15 practical chapters, the guide explains:

• Understanding EHCPs: What an Education, Health and Care Plan is, who may need one and how it differs from ordinary SEN Support.
• Requesting an EHC needs assessment: How the request process works, the six-week decision stage and what an assessment involves.
• Understanding the draft EHCP: An explanation of Sections A–K, including how needs, outcomes and special educational provision connect.
• Choosing a school or placement: Understanding the placement stage and the information relevant to school or educational-setting decisions.
• Finalising and reviewing an EHCP: What happens when the final plan is issued, annual reviews, amendments, reassessments and phase transfers.
• Refusals and disagreements: Understanding refusals to assess or issue an EHCP and identifying possible next steps.
• Delays, complaints and SEND Tribunal appeals: Understanding different routes for raising concerns, mediation advice and appeals.
• Managing the process: Practical strategies for organising records, preparing questions and reducing the administrative load.

The guide also includes practical scripts, checklists, question prompts, quick-reference information and tools to help you prepare for conversations and keep track of what matters.

Who is this EHCP guide for?

This guide is designed for parents and carers in England who are:

• Considering whether their child may need an EHCP.
• Preparing to request an EHC needs assessment.
• Waiting for a local authority decision or assessment.
• Trying to understand a draft EHCP or Sections A–K.
• Reviewing whether an EHCP accurately describes their child's needs and provision.
• Preparing for an annual review, amendment or phase transfer.
• Dealing with delays, refusals or missing provision.
• Trying to understand complaints, mediation or SEND Tribunal appeal routes.

You do not need an existing EHCP or a confirmed diagnosis to begin understanding the assessment process.

Practical EHCP guidance without more pressure

You do not need to read the guide from beginning to end.

Start with the chapter that matches the stage your child is at now.

If you're preparing an assessment request, begin there. If you've received a draft plan, go directly to the relevant sections. If you're facing a refusal or delay, use the chapters explaining the available routes.

The aim is to help you ask clearer questions, understand what should happen next and keep relevant information organised.

You do not need to hold the entire EHCP system in your head at once.

Part of the No Village SEND Support Library

The No Village Navigation Guide to EHCPs is part of a collection of practical resources for parents and carers navigating education, health and support systems.

It complements When You Don't Have a Village by Abigail Daniels, but can be used independently.

The No Village approach recognises that navigating complex systems can require considerable time, energy, knowledge and practical support.

These guides aim to reduce some of that burden through clear explanations and usable tools.

Use what helps. Leave what doesn't.

Digital download

Format: 106-page digital PDF guide

Region: England

Price: £7.99

Author: Abigail Daniels

Published: First Edition, July 2026

This is a digital download. No physical product will be posted.

The publication is licensed for the purchaser's personal use. Separate permission or an organisation licence is required for professional distribution, training or organisational use.

For organisational enquiries, visit novillage.co.uk.

Important information

This guide provides general educational and informational guidance about the EHCP system in England. It does not provide individual legal, medical or professional educational advice.

Legal requirements, statutory guidance, procedures and local arrangements may change. Guidance and official sources were last checked on 27 July 2026.

Check current official information and seek appropriate specialist SEND or legal advice for individual circumstances, particularly where there is an appeal deadline, potential discrimination, an urgent placement issue or another high-stakes decision.

This is an independent No Village publication and is not an official local authority, Department for Education or SEND Tribunal publication.