An Education, Health and Care Plan is a document which includes all of your needs and the support you should receive to help you learn, do your best and help you prepare for adulthood.
An Education, Health and Care Plan is for children and young people aged 0 to 25 who need extra support in education.
The plan has lots of sections including ‘outcomes’ (targets) for the ‘provision’ (support) in place to help you.
You can help to decide what these targets are and what kind of support you think would help you the most.
How can it help me?
By having an EHC plan, everyone who works with you will be aware of your needs and what they can do to support you.
Because it is a legal document, everyone must follow what is in your plan so you will have the best opportunity to do well.
It will help to focus on what you would like to work towards and what you want to achieve in the future.
How can I apply for one?
If your teachers have tried lots of things to help you and you still feel like you are struggling, then you might want to request an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment.
See: Suffolk County council’s Information for young people about the online request portal
If you are 16 or older then you can apply yourself, or if you are under 16 then ask a parent/carer or your school to apply for you.
We can help you to apply and also help you to fill in the forms.
Remember: not everyone who applies for an EHC plan will get one but you should still be able to get the support you need at school.
