What Has Happened Over the Past 12 Months?
Summarise the main developments, changes and concerns since the previous review.
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Do Parents Need to Attend an EHCP Annual Review and How Should You Prepare?
Parents often ask whether they need to attend their child’s Annual Review meeting and what they should do beforehand to make the meeting as useful as possible.
In a recent video on our Education Law TikTok channel, Beverley Watkins, Managing Partner at Watkins Solicitors, answers this question and explains how parents can prepare effectively.
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Book on EventbriteDo Parents Need to Attend an EHCP Annual Review and How Can You Prepare?
Beverley Watkins explains why attending an Annual Review wherever possible is important and how preparing parental views and reviewing the paperwork in advance can make the meeting more useful.
Video by Beverley Watkins, Managing Partner at Watkins Solicitors.
Attending the Annual Review
Beverley explains that it is important for parents to attend their child’s Annual Review wherever possible. The meeting is a key opportunity for parents to share their views, raise concerns and ensure that the EHCP reflects what is actually happening in practice.
Annual Reviews are intended to look back at the previous 12 months and consider whether the support in the EHCP is working and whether anything needs to change. Parents’ input is central to that process.
Preparing Your Parental Views
Before the meeting, Beverley advises parents to prepare a short written document setting out their views. This does not need to be lengthy, but it should clearly cover the main points from the previous year and any changes that may now be needed.
What Has Worked Well?
Identify the support, provision or strategies that have been effective for your child.
What Has Not Worked?
Explain where provision has been ineffective, unavailable or has not met your child’s needs.
What Should Be Enhanced or Amended?
Set out any existing provision that you believe needs to be increased, changed or specified more clearly.
Is Any Support Missing?
Record any support that is not currently included in the EHCP but which you believe should be considered.
This document helps ensure that parents’ concerns are recorded clearly and formally as part of the review process.
Reports and Paperwork Before the Meeting
14Days Before
Parents should usually receive reports and documents from the school and other professionals involved in their child’s education at least 14 days before the Annual Review meeting.
This is intended to give parents time to read the information, identify any concerns and prepare for the discussion.
However, Beverley notes that this does not always happen in practice, which can make it harder for parents to prepare fully.
Even where paperwork arrives late, it is still important for parents to attend the meeting and raise any concerns about the missing or delayed information.
Why Preparation Matters
Annual Reviews should not be a formality. They play a key role in deciding whether an EHCP should remain the same, be amended, or, in some cases, be ceased.
Preparing parental views and attending the meeting helps ensure that the local authority has a full and accurate picture of the child’s needs and how well the current support is working.
Support With Annual Reviews
Our Education Law team regularly supports parents with Annual Reviews, including advising on parental views, reviewing reports, and helping families challenge situations where the process has not been followed properly or where EHCPs do not reflect a child’s needs.
Preparing for an EHCP Annual Review?
If you would like advice about preparing parental views, reviewing the paperwork, EHCP amendments or concerns about how the Annual Review process is being handled, our specialist Education Law team can help.
Watch the Video and Get Support
The video, featuring Beverley Watkins answering this parent question, is available above and on our Education Law TikTok channel.
If you would like advice or support with an Annual Review, EHCP amendments or related education law issues, our specialist Education Law team is here to help.
You can contact us by emailing educationdept@watkinssolicitors.co.uk or calling 0117 939 0350 to discuss your situation and next steps.
Education Law TikTok
Our Education Law TikTok features short videos from the Watkins Solicitors Education Law team answering common questions about EHCPs, SEND provision, school placements, Annual Reviews and SEND Tribunal appeals.
Follow @watkinssolicitors.sen for practical explanations from our specialist team and to see our latest SEND and Education Law videos.