Yesterday, the Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, suggested some major changes to the way Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) work. The core proposal: restrict EHCPs to only those pupils whose needs span all three sectors — education, health, and care — and introduce two additional tiers for others: Education & Health Plans (EHPs) and Education & Care Plans (ECPs).
At the moment, EHCPs are the main legal way children with additional needs can get extra help in school, often involving health and care support too. But demand for EHCPs has risen a lot, and schools say they are struggling to keep up.
Crucially, the report underscores that no child with an existing EHCP should lose theirs, nor should they be forced to move schools. The vision is intended as a long-term, evidence-based transformation — not abrupt rollback.
Why Now? The Pressure Behind the Push
A survey published alongside the report paints a worrying picture: many schools are struggling to support children with SEN and EHCPs — not due to lack of will, but due to funding shortfalls and staffing shortages. In fact, over half of primary and secondary schools identified the progress of EHCP pupils as a top concern. Additionally, the Commissioner emphasises the need to redefine how we understand and address children’s needs, urging upstream, data-driven support to tackle issues like absence, mental health, and emotional well-being.
What’s Being Proposed?
The Commissioner thinks EHCPs should be kept only for children with the most complex needs that cover education, health and care.
Two new types of plan would be created for other children:
- Education & Health Plan (EHP) – for children whose main needs are in school and health (for example, a medical condition that affects learning).
- Education & Care Plan (ECP) – for children who need school and care support (for example, looked-after children with learning needs).
There would also be a single national system for deciding who gets help, so families don’t face different rules depending on where they live.
What This Means for Families
- No one will lose their current EHCP – if your child has one now, it will stay in place.
- No forced school moves – children will not be made to change schools because of these changes.
- Clearer options – children who don’t quite qualify for a full EHCP may still get support through an EHP or ECP.
- Faster decisions – the aim is to stop the postcode lottery and long waits for assessments.
Why These Changes Are Being Suggested
Schools say they want to help but are overwhelmed by funding shortages and staff pressures. The hope is that having different types of plans will make the system fairer, quicker, and easier to understand.
What Families Can Expect
- Peace of mind—No one loses an existing EHCP or is forced out of their school.
- New access paths—Children with one- or two-domain needs would receive plans (EHP/ECP), hopefully streamlining support for those not currently eligible for a full EHCP.
- Faster, fairer assessments—Standardising thresholds could reduce confusion and delays across councils.
Concerns Parents Might Have
- Will these new plans have the same legal rights and protections?
- Will the government provide enough money and staff to make this work?
- Will families still have to fight for support?
The government will explain more in detail in a new schools plan later this year. For now, nothing is changing immediately, but this could shape the future of how children with additional needs are supported.
