Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP)

General support at school

A large number of children who live in guardianship care have a disability, additional needs or specific learning difficulties. 

All schools must adapt the curriculum to meet the needs of individual children. If your child learns more slowly or in a different way to other children, the school can set different work or try different teaching strategies.

If you are concerned about your child’s progress or you think they may have special educational needs (SEN), contact the SEN coordinator (SENCO) in your child’s school.

The SENCO’s details should be listed on the school's website, but our team can also help you find and speak to them.

Schools and colleges must do as much as they can to provide extra support for pupils and students with SEN. 

Extra support through an EHCP

If your child has more complex needs, they may be eligible for an EHCP.

An EHCP is a legal document that describes your child’s needs and how they should be met. It explains the extra help needed to meet those needs and how it will support the child or young person to achieve what they want in their life.

EHCP documents are created by the local authority (in this case Buckinghamshire Council) after an EHC needs assessment [contact.org.uk ↗]. You, your child’s education setting or your child, if over 16, can ask your local authority to carry out an assessment.

You can learn more about EHCPs in Buckinghamshire by reading the EHCP guidance on the council Family Information website ↗. It includes an overview of what an EHCP is, how it can support a child and how to request, receive and update a plan.

New applications and existing EHCPs

If your child doesn't have an EHCP, but you think they may benefit from extra support at school, we recommend you speak to our support team. We have education specialists who can talk through your options and help you apply for an EHCP assessment.

If the child you care for already has a plan, you should have been given a copy as part of your special guardianship order. Buckinghamshire Council’s integrated SEND services team (ISend) can answer your questions and address any concerns.

You may be able to get a personal budget for your child if they are eligible for an EHCP. This will give you more say on how money is spent on your child’s needs.  

Review your plan every year

An EHCP must be reviewed at least once a year to make sure it stays relevant to the child's needs, situation and ambitions.

This review process should be started by the school in partnership with the local authority, and include you and the child. At the end of the review, the local authority may make changes to the plan, end it or leave it unchanged.

Read more about annual reviews [contact.org.uk ↗]. Our team can help with any questions or concerns you have about the process.