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How Should Families Prepare for an EHCP Annual Review?
An Annual Review is an important opportunity to look properly at your child or young person’s Education, Health and Care Plan and consider whether it still reflects their needs and the support they require.
Parents often ask us what they should be doing before the meeting and whether there is anything they can prepare in advance.
In a recent video on our Education Law TikTok channel, Beverley Watkins, Managing Partner at Watkins Solicitors, explains some practical steps families can take before an Annual Review.
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Book on EventbriteHow Should Families Prepare for an EHCP Annual Review?
Beverley Watkins explains the practical steps parents can take before the meeting, including reviewing the current EHCP, checking professional reports, identifying what has changed and preparing any amendments they believe are needed.
Video by Beverley Watkins, Managing Partner at Watkins Solicitors.
Ask for the Reports Before the Meeting
One of the most important things is to make sure you have time to read the information being considered at the review.
2Weeks Before
The person arranging the Annual Review must obtain advice and information from those involved in the review and circulate this at least two weeks before the meeting.
This is not information that parents should first be seeing when they arrive at the Annual Review.
Reports might include information from:
Occupational Therapists
Evidence relating to sensory, motor or functional needs and relevant support.
Educational Psychologists
Assessment and recommendations relating to learning, development or wider educational needs.
Teachers and SENCOs
Current information about progress, support in school and how provision is working day to day.
Health and Social Care Professionals
Relevant evidence about health or social care needs connected to the EHCP.
Other Specialists
Any other professional involved in assessing or supporting your child or young person.
If an existing report is no longer an accurate reflection of your child’s needs, consider whether updated professional advice may be required.
Read the Current EHCP Carefully
Before the meeting, go through the EHCP itself rather than relying only on the new reports.
Section B: Special Educational Needs
- Does Section B still accurately describe your child’s needs?
- Have any new needs been identified since the plan was last reviewed?
- Is anything important missing or now out of date?
Section F: Special Educational Provision
- Does Section F still describe the support your child actually requires?
- Is the provision clear and specific?
- Are the amount, frequency and type of support still appropriate?
- Are recent professional recommendations reflected in the plan?
Prepare the Changes You Would Like
Parents do not have to wait until the meeting to start thinking about amendments.
It can be very helpful to make a written list of the changes you believe are needed and, where possible, identify the relevant section of the EHCP.
Needs that should be added or updated
Provision that needs to be more specific
Therapies that have changed
Support that is no longer working
New professional recommendations
Changes to outcomes or placement that need to be discussed
Taking a marked-up copy of the EHCP or a written list of proposed amendments can help keep the meeting focused.
Think About What Is Happening Now
An Annual Review should look at the child or young person as they are now, not simply repeat information that may have been accurate several years ago.
Consider what has changed during the past year, what is working, what is not working and whether your child is making progress towards the outcomes in their EHCP.
The meeting must consider progress towards the outcomes in the plan, and from Year 9 onwards it must also consider preparation for adulthood and independent living.
How Can Watkins Solicitors Help?
Preparing for an Annual Review can feel difficult, particularly if you already believe the EHCP does not accurately describe your child’s needs or the provision they require.
Watkins Solicitors has a specialist, multi-award-winning Education Law team supporting children, young people and families with EHCPs and SEND matters across England. Our Education team was named Team of the Year at the Bristol Law Society Awards 2025, alongside Watkins Solicitors being named Regional Law Firm of the Year.
We can review an EHCP and supporting professional evidence, advise on amendments and help families understand what should be raised at an Annual Review.
If there is later disagreement about the local authority’s decision, we can also advise on the next legal steps, including a SEND Tribunal appeal where appropriate.
Preparing for an Upcoming Annual Review?
If you would like help reviewing the current EHCP, professional evidence or the amendments you want to raise at the meeting, our specialist Education Law team can advise before the Annual Review takes place.
Watch the Video and Get Support
The full video, featuring Beverley Watkins answering this parent question, is available above and on our Education Law TikTok channel.
If you need advice before an upcoming Annual Review, our specialist Education Law team is here to help.
You can contact us by emailing education@watkinssolicitors.co.uk or calling 0117 939 0350.
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.