EHC plan process during summer holidays

We know how important it is to keep things moving for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), even during the summer break. That's why we're committed to continuing our work on: 

• Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments (EHCNAs) 
• Placement decisions 
• Gathering professional advice 

How we work with schools during the holidays 

We'll keep working throughout the summer to make sure we meet statutory deadlines. This will help ensure children with SEND aren't disadvantaged by school closures. Schools are still key partners, even when they're closed. We'll reach out to staff who are available, such as leadership teams or designated contacts.  

If schools have limited availability, we'll be flexible. To keep things moving, we might use: 

• Existing reports 
• Previous advice 
• Input from other professionals  
• During school closures, we may speak with: 
• Multi-academy trusts 
• Locality leads 
• Other representatives who can help 

Getting advice for assessments  

We'll continue to request advice from schools and settings within the usual time frames.  

If possible, we ask schools to share advice before the end of term or let us know who we can contact during the break.  

If they cannot provide advice on time due to closures, we'll: 

• Record that advice was not given; and 
• Make sure it's handled fairly and lawfully  

Making placement decisions  

• We'll keep consulting on placements over the summer to avoid delays in arranging support for September
• We'll work closely with families, schools, and settings to make decisions that are clear, fair, and in the best interests of the child or young person

When exceptions apply  

Sometimes, it's not possible to meet statutory deadlines. For example, we may not meet a deadline if key professionals are unavailable. In these rare cases, we may apply lawful exceptions, but only after taking all reasonable steps to move things forward. If this happens, we'll explain clearly and keep families informed.  

Working together  

We're grateful for the ongoing support of schools and settings, and we're committed to working in partnership with families. Even during quieter periods, we aim to work: 

• Efficiently 
• Lawfully 
• With compassion 

We always keep children and young people at the heart of what we do.  

After the summer holidays 

• Schools have 15 days from 1 September to respond to consultations on plan content and/or placement  
• If a child is already attending a school we are consulting, unless we decide on a new placement, they will stay at that school 
• New students must attend their assigned school via local authority mainstream admissions. We will update their EHC plan after consultations

Your EHC plan coordinator can provide more information and clarify deadlines, if needed.