Common misconceptions or myths about EHC Plans

“Fewer children and young people will get an Education, Health and Care plan than get a statement of special educational needs.”

The criteria for an Education, Health and Care plan will be the same as the current criteria for a statement.

“After a child turns 16 a parent CANNOT be involved in decisions about their child’s support”

Young people can continue to have their parents as involved as much as they want. The difference is, when a person with an Education, Health and Care plan turns 16 years old, they have the final say (subject to their mental capacity). 

“All parents and young people with a plan will be able to access direct payments”

All parents and young people will be able to request a personal budget where an EHC plan is in place. A personal budget is an amount identified by the local authority as being available to secure particular provision that is specified, or proposed to be specified, in the EHC plan. Once identified parents and young people can then request that some or all aspects of the personal budget be converted into a direct payment, but the local authority, and the education provider where relevant, must agree to this and have significant discretion about what they agree to.

“ALL young people who have the new Education, Health and Care plans in school will have a plan until they are 25”

An Education, Health and Care plan will continue only for young people who stay in education or training. For most young people this will be to go to further education (college), or to get an apprenticeship.