EHCP section F: how to check the support is specific
Section F lists the special educational provision your child must receive. It is the part of an EHC plan the council has a legal duty to secure, so the wording matters. Vague wording is hard to enforce.
What the law expects
The SEND Code of Practice says provision in section F must be detailed and specific, and should normally be quantified: what support, how much, how often, and who will provide it. Every need described in section B should be matched by provision in section F.
Therapies that help a child learn, such as speech and language therapy, are normally recorded as special educational provision in section F, not left in the health section.
Vague versus specific
| Vague | Specific |
|---|---|
| Access to speech and language therapy as required. | Speech and language therapy: one 30-minute session a week with a qualified therapist, plus a daily 15-minute programme delivered by a trained teaching assistant. |
| Opportunities for small-group work. | Daily literacy teaching in a group of no more than four pupils, led by a teacher, for 30 minutes. |
| Regular check-ins with a trusted adult. | A named key adult meets with him for 10 minutes at the start and end of each school day. |
| Support at unstructured times should be considered. | Adult support in the playground and dinner hall every day, with access to a quiet space. |
Words to look out for
Phrases like these often mean the provision cannot be measured or enforced:
- "access to" or "opportunities for"
- "as required", "as needed" or "where appropriate"
- "regular" or "ongoing" without a number
- "should", "could" or "may" instead of "will"
- "up to" a number of hours
A quick checklist
- Is every need in section B matched by provision in section F?
- Does each item say what, how much, how often and who?
- Are staff qualifications or training stated where they matter?
- Are therapies that help learning in section F rather than section G?
- Would someone new to your child know exactly what to do?
If section F is not right
When you receive a draft plan, you have 15 days to comment, so send your suggested wording in writing (see what to do in the 15 days). At an annual review, ask for specific changes. After a final plan is issued, you can appeal to the SEND Tribunal about sections B, F and I. Your dated diary helps show what support your child actually needs. Get free advice from IPSEA or your local SENDIASS service.