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How Long Does an EHCP Take? (Understanding the 20-Week EHCP Timeline)
- galedavies
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
For many parents, one of the most stressful parts of the SEND system is simply waiting. Once a child is struggling at school, families want to know one thing:
How long does an EHCP take?
In England, the law states that the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) process should take no more than 20 weeks from the date the local authority receives a request for an assessment.
However, the reality can sometimes feel confusing, especially when letters arrive with different deadlines or when schools mention “phases” of the process.
This guide explains the EHCP timeline step-by-step, so you understand exactly what should happen and when.
The Legal EHCP Timeline (20 Weeks Maximum)
Under the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice, local authorities must follow a clear timetable when handling EHCP requests.
The entire process should take no longer than 20 weeks.
Here is the official EHCP process timeline in the UK.
Weeks 0–6: Request for an EHC Needs Assessment
The process starts when a request for an EHC needs assessment is made.
This request can be submitted by:
A parent or carer
A young person (aged 16–25)
The child’s school or setting
A professional involved with the child
Once the request is received, the local authority has 6 weeks to decide whether they will carry out an assessment.
At the end of this period they must send a letter either:
✔ Agreeing to assess
❌ Refusing to assess
If the local authority refuses, parents have the right to appeal to the SEND Tribunal.
Weeks 6–16: The EHC Needs Assessment
If the local authority agrees to assess, they must gather advice from professionals involved with the child.
This usually includes:
An Educational Psychologist
The child’s school or nursery
Health professionals (such as paediatricians or therapists)
Parents and carers
Social care if relevant
Professionals are normally given 6 weeks to provide their advice.
During this stage, the local authority decides whether the child needs an EHCP or if support can be provided through SEN Support in school.
Week 16: Decision to Issue an EHCP
By week 16, the local authority must decide whether to issue an Education, Health and Care Plan.
They must either:
✔ Issue a draft EHCP,
or❌ Refuse to issue a plan.
If the authority refuses to issue a plan, parents again have the right to appeal to the SEND Tribunal.
Weeks 16–20: Draft EHCP and Final Plan
If the local authority agrees to issue a plan, they must send parents a draft EHCP.
Parents then have 15 days to:
Review the draft plan
Request changes
Ask for a specific school or setting to be named
After considering parental comments, the local authority must issue the final EHCP by week 20.
Why Do EHCPs Sometimes Take Longer?
Although the law says 20 weeks, delays can sometimes happen.
Common reasons include:
Delays in educational psychology reports
Local authorities waiting for health advice
Administrative delays in processing reports
Disagreements about whether a plan should be issued
However, unless there are very specific legal exceptions, local authorities are still expected to meet the 20-week deadline.
What Parents Can Do If the EHCP Process Is Delayed
If the process is taking longer than expected, parents can:
✔ Contact the local authority SEND team
✔ Ask the school for updates
✔ Request copies of professional reports
✔ Seek advice from SEND support services or advocates
Keeping a clear timeline of communication can also be helpful if the process later leads to an appeal.
Key Things Parents Should Remember
The EHCP process can feel complicated, but the key points are simple:
The maximum legal timeframe is 20 weeks
The first decision (whether to assess) must be made within 6 weeks
A decision to issue a plan must be made by week 16
The final EHCP must be issued by week 20
Understanding these deadlines helps parents recognise when the system is working correctly and when it may need to be challenged.
Frequently Asked Question
What happens if the EHCP process takes longer than 20 weeks?
If a local authority takes longer than the legal timeframe without a valid reason, parents can raise concerns with the SEND team, submit a formal complaint, or seek advice. In some situations delays may also become relevant if the case later reaches the SEND Tribunal.
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