Preparing for your annual review
How to prepare for your child's EHCP annual review, what evidence to bring, and what to ask for.
Preparing for your annual review
Your child's EHCP must be reviewed at least once every 12 months. The annual review is your chance to update the plan, change what is not working, and make sure the provision still matches your child's needs.
Many parents find annual reviews stressful. Preparation makes a real difference.
What the annual review is for
The review looks at:
- Whether the outcomes in the EHCP are being met
- Whether the provision in Section F is being delivered
- Whether your child's needs have changed
- Whether the EHCP needs to be amended
- Whether the EHCP should continue, or be ceased
The school arranges the review. They must invite you, and they should give you at least two weeks' notice. Your views must be included.
Before the review
Go through each section. Note anything that has changed, anything that is not working, and anything that is missing. If you have not looked at the EHCP recently, this is the time to read it properly.
Use SpektraBot's EHCP audit tool to check the current plan. It will flag areas that need attention and give you specific points to raise.
Collect anything that shows how your child is doing: - Progress reports from the school - Any professional reports (educational psychologist, speech therapist, OT) - Your own observations from home - Your concerns log from SpektraBot - Your action tracker showing what you have raised before
The school should ask you to submit your views before the meeting. Write these down even if they do not ask. Include: - What is working well - What is not working - What needs to change in the EHCP - Your child's views (ask them what they think)
Write a list of questions to ask at the review. SpektraBot can help: ask 'What questions should I ask at my child's annual review?'
Questions to ask at the review
Here are some questions worth raising:
- 'Is every provision in Section F being delivered in full? If not, why not?'
- 'What progress has been made towards the outcomes in Section E?'
- 'Has my child's needs changed since the last review? If so, does the EHCP need amending?'
- 'What evidence shows that the current provision is working?'
- 'Are there any needs that are not currently in the EHCP but should be?'
Take someone with you to the review if you can. A partner, family member, or an advocate from your local SENDIASS. Having a second person helps you remember what was said and provides moral support.
During the review
- Take notes, or ask someone to take them for you
- Do not feel pressured to agree to anything on the spot. You can say 'I need time to think about that'
- If the school or local authority says something you disagree with, say so and note it down
- Make sure your child's views are heard, either through their presence or a written contribution
After the review
The school must send the review paperwork to the local authority within two weeks. The local authority must then decide, within four weeks, whether to:
- Keep the EHCP as it is
- Amend the EHCP
- Cease the EHCP
If the local authority decides to amend, they must send you a draft with the proposed changes. You have 15 days to respond.
If the school or local authority suggests ceasing the EHCP (ending it), get advice before agreeing. Contact your local SENDIASS or IPSEA. You have the right to appeal against a decision to cease.
If nothing changes after the review
If you raised concerns at the review and the local authority decides not to amend the EHCP, they must tell you why. If you disagree, you can:
- Request a further review
- Make a formal complaint
- Appeal to the SEND Tribunal (if the issue relates to Sections B, F, or I)
Try asking this question in a chat:
“My child's annual review is next month. Can you help me prepare?”