An Annual Review is a meeting where your child or young person’s Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is reviewed to make sure it is still accurate and effective.

The review looks at:

  • Your child or young person’s needs
  • The support they are receiving
  • The outcomes (goals) in the plan

It helps decide whether any changes are needed to the EHCP.

Understanding what should be included in an EHCP can help you feel more prepared for the review.

When Annual Reviews must take place

  • The first review must take place within 12 months of the EHCP being finalised
  • Reviews must then happen at least every 12 months
  • For children under compulsory school age, reviews must take place every 6 months

These requirements apply to both children and young people with an EHCP.

Who is responsible?

  • The Local Authority (LA) has the legal duty to ensure the EHCP is reviewed on time
  • In most cases, the school, nursery, or college (usually the SENCo) will organise and lead the review meeting on behalf of the LA
  • The LA retains overall legal responsibility
  • If a child or young person is not in an education setting (for example, if they are home educated), the LA must arrange the review directly
  • The LA should be invited but is not required to attend every meeting

What must happen during an Annual Review

The review process includes several steps — not just the meeting itself.

Before the meeting

The Local Authority and/or setting must:

  • Ask for your views, wishes, and feelings
  • Seek views from the education setting (if applicable)
  • Gather advice and information from you and relevant professionals

This information should be shared with everyone attending at least 2 weeks before the meeting.

The review meeting

A meeting must take place to:

  • Review the EHCP
  • Discuss what is working well and what is not
  • Consider whether changes are needed

After the meeting

  • A written report must be completed and shared with everyone involved
  • The Local Authority must review the EHCP and decide whether to:
    • Keep the plan unchanged
    • Amend the plan
    • Cease (end) the plan

The Local Authority must inform you of their decision within 4 weeks of the meeting.