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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Do parents need to attend an EHCP Annual Review and how can you prepare? In this video, Beverley Watkins, Managing Partner at Watkins Solicitors, explains why it is so important for parents to attend their child’s Annual Review wherever possible and how preparation can make a real difference. Annual Reviews are your opportunity to make sure the EHCP reflects what is actually happening for your child, what support is working, and what needs to change. Beverley talks through what parents should prepare in advance, what paperwork you should expect before the meeting, and what to do if information arrives late. Annual Reviews are not just a formality. They play a key role in decisions about EHCP amendments, provision changes, or whether an EHCP continues at all. If you need support with an Annual Review, parental views, EHCP amendments or concerns about the process, our specialist Education Law team can help. Contact: educationdept@watkinssolicitors.co.uk 0117 939 0350

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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:

• What has happened over the past 12 months
• What support or provision has worked well
• What has not worked
• Whether any provision in the EHCP should be enhanced or amended
• Whether there is any support that is not currently included but should be

This document helps ensure that parents’ concerns are recorded clearly and formally as part of the review process.

Reports and paperwork before the meeting

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. These reports are meant to inform the discussion and allow parents time to consider the information in advance.

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.

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.

Watch the video and get support

The video, featuring Beverley Watkins answering this parent question, is available 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.