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Autism and EHCPs – What you need to know

Ahead of World Autism Acceptance Month (April 2026), it is a good opportunity to highlight the importance of how a good Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) can really make a difference for a child or young person with autism. What is autism? “Autism influences how people experience and interact with the world. It is […]

EHCPs – What do I need to know about Personal Budgets and Direct Payments?

What is the difference between a Personal Budget and Direct Payment? A Personal Budget is an amount of money agreed with the local authority to deliver the education, health and/or social care provision in an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) when the parent or young person are involved in securing that provision. A Direct […]

Initial thoughts on DfE’s policy paper: Every child achieving and thriving

The Department for Education’s white paper, Every Child Achieving and Thriving, sets out wide-ranging reforms to mainstream inclusion, SEND provision and system accountability. Alongside it sits the consultation document, SEND Reform: Putting Children and Young People First. Below is a structured summary of the themes, key proposals and implementation steps. Themes and key takeaways from […]

The importance of a good educational psychologist in EHCP cases

Evidence from an educational psychologist (EP) is the cornerstone for an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Why educational psychologist evidence is essential for an EHCP An educational psychologist’s primary role is to help clarify and define the needs of the child/young person. EP’s have a statutory role on providing advice and information to local authorities […]

Can you get a EHCP for dyslexia?

Quite often parents are put off applying for an EHCP following a diagnosis of dyslexia, or a specific learning difficulty, based on the notion that their special educational needs can be provided for under available school SEN budgets. It’s estimated up to 1 in every 10 people in the UK has some degree of dyslexia. […]

SEND Tribunal – How to manage timetable delays

The Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Tribunal hears appeals about the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) process. An EHCP is a legally enforceable document that sets out a child/young person’s special educational needs/disabilities (SEND), the provision required to support the child/young person within an educational setting and the required educational placement. An EHCP […]

New school, new phase, new EHCP? EHCP phase transfers explained

In this article Lacie Smith, Senior Paralegal, explains the legal framework surrounding EHCP phase transfers and the critical deadlines local authorities must follow when a child moves between stages of education.   What is a phase transfer in education? A phase transfer happens when a child or young person moves from one stage of education […]

A reminder: The importance of expert evidence for an EHCP

An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is an enforceable document that sets out a child/young person’s special educational needs (SEN) and the provision required for them to be able to access the curriculum. An EHCP is issued and maintained by the child or young person’s Local Authority (LA). An EHCP consists of several sections; […]

Key points to know about Education Otherwise Than at School or College (EOTAS/C)

Lydia Dunford-Anderson, Associate Solicitor in our Education Team, has written a book on EOTAS/C entitled ‘A Practical Guide to Education Otherwise Than at School or College (EOTAS/C)’, published by Law Brief Publishing Ltd. She has presented a webinar on this topic with SNAP Care. This is, therefore, a good time for a reminder on key points […]