Annual Reviews
When do we need to complete an Annual Review in the Early Years?
SEN CoP: Reviewing an EHCP page 198
Reviews of EHC plans for children aged 0 to 5
9.178 Local authorities should consider reviewing an EHC plan for a child under five at least every three to six months to ensure that the provision continues to be appropriate. Such reviews would complement the duty to carry out a review at least annually but may be streamlined and not necessarily require the attendance of the full range of professionals, depending on the needs of the child. The child’s parent must be fully consulted on any proposed changes to the EHC plan and made aware of their right to appeal to the Tribunal.
Transfer between phases of education
9.179 An EHC plan must be reviewed and amended in sufficient time prior to a child or young person moving between key phases of education, to allow for planning for and, where necessary, commissioning of support and provision at the new institution.
The review and any amendments must be completed by 15 February in the calendar year of the transfer at the latest for transfers into or between schools.
The key transfers are:
- early years provider to school
Purpose of the review
The purpose of the review is to:
- gather and assess information so that it can be used by your child or young person’s early years settings, schools or colleges to support their progress and their access to teaching and learning
- review the special educational provision made for your child or young person to make sure it is being effective in ensuring access to teaching and learning and good progress
- review the health and social care provision made for your child or young person and its effectiveness in ensuring good progress towards outcomes
- consider the continuing appropriateness of the EHC plan in the light of your child or young person’s progress during the previous year or changed circumstances and whether changes are required including any changes to outcomes, enhanced provision, change of educational establishment or whether the EHC plan should be discontinued
- set new interim targets for the coming year and where appropriate, agree new outcomes
- review any interim targets set by the early years' provider, school or college or other education provider
Annual review timeline
Step 1: 4 to 6 weeks prior to meeting - obtain advice and information about the child including completing the Parental Views and Child’s views forms (or similar) from:
- all the relevant professionals
- the parent
- the child themselves
Step 2: 2 weeks prior to meeting - circulate the reports received along with the invitations to attend the Annual Review meeting
Step 3: The Annual Review meeting
Step 4: Following the meeting the SENCo must complete the WCC Annual Review Report document (that SEND services have sent to you or you have downloaded). This should include recommendations for amendments to the EHCP including details where views differ. This must then be uploaded onto the WCC portal (with the evidence) and shared
Step 5: The LA has 2 weeks (4 weeks from the date of the meeting) to decide to leave the plan unchanged, amend it or cease it and inform the parent, the child and the school/setting of its decision with everyone invited to the meeting within 2 weeks including the LA