EHCP deadline calculator
Enter the dates you know to see the usual EHCP deadlines in England and how many days are left. Free, no sign-up, nothing is stored or sent anywhere.
EHC needs assessment request
If the council refused to assess or issue a plan
Annual review
These are the usual timescales in England and some exceptions apply. Always check the dates in your council's letters. This is not legal advice. For advice on your rights, contact IPSEA or your local SENDIASS service.
How the EHCP timescales work
The clock starts on the day the council receives your request for an EHC needs assessment, not the day you sent it. That is why it helps to send requests by email and ask the council to confirm the date it received them.
- 6 weeks: the council decides whether to carry out an EHC needs assessment, and tells you either way.
- 16 weeks: if it assessed, the council tells you whether it will issue an EHC plan. If it will, it sends a draft plan, and you have 15 days to comment and ask for a particular school.
- 20 weeks: the final EHC plan should be issued.
- 2 months: the usual time to appeal a decision to the SEND Tribunal, counted from the date on the decision letter. In most cases you must contact a mediation adviser first, and if you get a mediation certificate you may have 1 month from receiving it, if that is later.
When the timescales can change
The law allows a small number of exceptions, for example when the council needs information from a school during the school holidays, or because of exceptional personal circumstances for the child or family. Staff shortages and waiting lists are not one of them. If your council says an exception applies, ask it to explain which one, in writing.
What to do if a deadline is missed
- Check the date the council received your request. Use the calculator above.
- Write to the council, politely, asking for the decision or plan within a set time, such as 7 days. The EHCPlog app has a free letter builder that fills in a chasing letter for you.
- Keep a record of every call and email, with dates. See our meeting checklist for how to follow up in writing.
- Get free advice from IPSEA or your local SENDIASS service about next steps, which can include a complaint or a legal challenge.
While you wait, a daily diary helps you keep dated evidence. Our guide to gathering evidence explains what to collect, and EHCP refused: what to do next covers appeals.
Common questions
How long does the council have to decide whether to do an EHC needs assessment?
Usually 6 weeks from the date the council receives the request.
When will I know if my child will get an EHC plan?
If the council assesses, it should tell you within 16 weeks of the request whether it will issue a plan. If it will, you get a draft plan and 15 days to comment.
How long should the whole EHCP process take?
The usual limit is 20 weeks from the request to the final EHC plan. Some exceptions apply, for example around school holidays or exceptional personal circumstances.
How long do I have to appeal an EHCP decision?
Usually 2 months from the date on the decision letter, or 1 month after you receive a mediation certificate if that is later.
What happens after an annual review meeting?
The school should send its report to the council within 2 weeks, and the council should tell you within 4 weeks of the meeting whether it will keep, change or end the plan.
Get reminded before every deadline
Save your dates in EHCPlog and we email you a week, 3 days and 1 day before each one. Free, with no card needed.