The importance of annual reviews BEFORE Christmas

It is the time of year where you really need to have your child’s Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) annual review if they are transitioning to a new school next academic year.

The Local Authority (LA) must complete the legal process of conducting an annual review, and make sure they update your child’s plan with the new school, but 15th February or if they are going in to post-16 by 31st March 2019.

You might think this leaves you with enough time, but the annual review process can take many weeks (it is not just a meeting).

So why is it so important to have it now?

1) To obtain your rights for appeal

if your school of choice is not named for next year, then you need to obtain your rights to take it further if necessary. Appeals are already being registered to be held at the end of February/March 2020, so you need those rights to appeal, ASAP to get your appeal heard before summer. You only receive your rights to appeal, AFTER an annual review.

2) To make amendments to the plan

Moving schools at transition point is a huge jump. If the EHCP is not adequately updated, the school and your child could be left without the correct support for that setting.

3) To have time to plan transition

Planning takes a long time. If you have to do any of the points from above, then you might not have a new (good) EHCP until Spring/Summer term next year, even if you have the meeting before Christmas. That is why it is so crucial to start the annual review process NOW.

It is your right to request an annual review, so don’t delay. If you need someone to come with you, the team at Bright Futures can support you on the day or in preparation too.