Hello lovely parents and carers! 🌈
If you've reached the stage where your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), well done. That first application can feel like an emotional rollercoaster and an admin marathon rolled into one. But now that you have the EHCP in place, what comes next?
Just like the process of applying, the next steps can feel confusing at first: especially when it comes to the first review. For children under 5, these reviews are often more frequent than for older children. They usually happen every six months, but it’s important to check what is written into your child’s specific plan.
At Fun and Play, we know the process does not stop when the EHCP is issued. That first review is a golden opportunity to make sure the support in place is still right for your child – and if not, to do something about it.
🌱 Why the first EHCP review matters so much
Children grow and develop rapidly, especially in those early years. Something that felt like a breakthrough six months ago might now be outdated or not quite enough. That’s why reviewing the EHCP is so important it keeps everything relevant and ensures the support grows with your child.
This review is your chance to:
- Make sure the EHCP still reflects your child's needs accurately
- Check that everything promised in the plan is actually being delivered
- Talk about new challenges, developments, or changes in provision
- Request changes or additions – like more hours of 1 to 1 support or new therapies (e.g. speech and language, occupational therapy, physiotherapy or creative therapies like play or art therapy)
- Raise practical concerns about nursery support, transitions or funding
📚 Preparing for the review: what you can do
You are a key part of the team supporting your child, and your voice matters. Here are some things that can really help before and during the review:
🗂 Stay organised
Keep a folder or digital file with every report, letter, note and email. This includes therapist reports (NHS and private), nursery updates, and any observations about behaviour, communication or sensory challenges.
If you have reports from programmes like Small Steps or similar services, those can be really useful too.
📄 Read the EHCP carefully
Take a quiet moment to go through your child’s plan in detail. Does it reflect your child as they are today? Check that:
- Needs are accurately described
- Support is clearly stated (how often, for how long, and by whom)
- There is no vague wording: everything should be specific
Is what’s written on paper actually happening in real life? If not, make a note.
📝 Prepare a list of changes you’d like
Think about what life is like for your child on a tricky day. Are there gaps in support that show up in those moments? Is there a therapy you are funding yourself that you believe should be provided through the plan? A report from a private therapist can help back this up.
Be ready to ask for changes if:
- Your child is struggling more than before
- Support hours need to be increased
- New challenges (like anxiety or sensory issues) have emerged
💬 Write down what you want to say
It’s easy to forget things in the moment, especially when emotions are involved. Jot down the key points you want to raise. Keep supporting documents to hand during the meeting in case you need to show evidence.
⚖️ Know your rights
For under 5s, EHCPs must be reviewed at least every 6 months. You should be invited to the meeting and your contributions must be considered. If the support listed in the EHCP isn’t being delivered, the local authority is responsible for making sure that it is.
💡 Questions and topics you may want to raise
- Is the current level of 1 to 1 support enough?
- Are there funding issues affecting your child’s early years setting?
- Does your child qualify for 30 free hours but the setting can only offer 15? What are the alternatives?
- Could the remaining hours be used in another way – like specialist therapy groups, split placement, or a personal budget?
- Have you looked into the local authority’s Early Years or SEND funding options?
🤝 Support available
Even though you know your child best, it helps to know you’re not alone. Connecting with others in the SEND community can be a huge help. Some organisations offer advice and even review services for EHCP documents. Sossen is one group that offers this. Also charities like Skylarks, Challengers Hub, LinkAble, Action for Carers can be extremely helpful.
Legal support can be expensive but sometimes necessary, especially if you feel your child is not getting what they are entitled to. For many, though, just having a clear, confident plan and a paper trail of evidence makes a big difference.
🧠 Final thoughts from Fun and Play
EHCP reviews can feel like another mountain to climb, but they are also one of the most powerful tools we have as carers. They are a chance to adjust the map, reroute the journey and keep fighting for the support our children deserve.
Stay calm, stay informed, and remember – every small win builds towards a stronger foundation for your child’s future. We are cheering you on. You’ve got this 💪
💬 Do you have any practical tips for other families preparing for their first EHCP review? Let us know in the comments – we’d love to hear from you!