Education, health and care (EHC) plans and assessments

Find out what an EHC plan is, who they can help, how to request an EHC needs assessment, how annual reviews work and transferring between stages.

Transferring between key stages of education if your child has an EHC plan

What is phase transfer?

When a child or young person moves from one stage of education to another, this is called a phase transfer. Phase transfers happens whenever a child or young person makes the following transitions in their educational journey:

  • early years setting to school
  • infant school to junior school
  • primary to secondary school
  • secondary school onto further education

What happens during phase transfer for children and young people with an EHC plan?

Moving to a new school or further education setting is both an exciting and anxious experience for all children, young people, and their families. However, when your child has an education, health and care (EHC) plan, the process can be particularly worrying as you may not be sure how a new setting will meet your child's needs.

The EHC Planning Service will work with parents to identify an appropriate school. They will guide you through the transfer process and answer any questions you may have.

It may help for you to discuss your school choices and the phase transfer process with the SENCO at your child's current school.

When it comes time to think about moving on, we will follow the processes below.

If your child is moving from nursery to primary school or primary to secondary school

In the September of the year before your child is due to start at a new school, you will receive an email from your assigned EHC coordinator asking you for your school preferences. You will need to let us know what your preferred schools are by early October of the same year. You will need to provide us with at least two preferred schools.

  1. The local authority will begin liaising with your preferred school, and other schools in your area, to find out whether they will be able to meet your child's needs.
  2. The local authority will write to you to let you know which school will be named in your child's EHC plan.
  3. Your child's EHC plan will be amended to name the new school. This must be done before 15 February in the year of transfer.

Key dates for children starting their new school in 2025

  • You will receive an email from us by 18 September 2024
  • You will need to let us know what your preferences are by 2 October 2024
  • Your EHC plan will be amended to show the name of the new school by 15 February 2025

Downloadable guide

How to apply for primary and secondary school places in September 2025 if your child has an EHC plan (PDF, 1.24MB)

If your child is moving from school onto further education…

  1. In the summer of the year before your child is due to start further education, you will receive an email from your assigned EHC coordinator asking you for your college preferences. You will need to let us know what your preferred colleges are by early October of the same year.
  2. The local authority will begin liaising with your preferred college, and other colleges in your area, to find out whether they will be able to meet your child's needs.
  3. The local authority will write to you to let you know which school will be named in your child's EHC plan.
  4. Your child's EHC plan will be amended to reflect the new college. This must be done before 31 March in the year of transfer.

Key dates for young people starting college in 2025 will be published soon

  • You will receive an email from us in (TBC)
  • You will need to let us know what your preferences are by (TBC)
  • Your EHC plan will be amended to show the name of the new school by 31 March 2025

The Preparing for adulthood (PfA) – Transitions team can also support your child or you as a young person transferring between key stages of education.

To learn more visit Preparing for adulthood (PfA) - Transitions

If you are unhappy about the school or college named on your EHC plan

If you would like to discuss the school, college or provision that is named on the EHC plan then you can discuss with the SENCO at the setting in the first instance or you can also speak to SENDIASS (see details below).

If you disagree with the setting or provision we have named you can appeal to the SEND tribunal. The views and opinions of children, young people and their families are important to us, we want your voices to be heard.

Our contact details

EHC Casework Service

Where can I get independent advice?

Your Voice in Health and Social Care (YVHSC) offers free, confidential, and impartial information, advice, support and guidance for parents/carers of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and young people with SEND aged 0-25

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