Transitions between phases of education are key points in a child’s or young person’s life. When an EHC Plan is in place it is a requirement of the code of practice that the plan must be reviewed and amended in sufficient time, prior to a child or young person moving, to allow for planning for and, where necessary, commissioning of support and provision at the new setting. This means that the review must be completed by 15th February in the calendar year in which the transfer is going to take place. (If the transition is from a school to a post-16 institution, or between post-16 institutions, the review has to be completed by 31st March of the year of transition.)
It is vital, therefore, that all settings should plan, at the beginning of the academic year, when the annual review for each child or young person EHC plan is to take place. This will enable the setting to even out the workload for staff and ensure that statutory deadlines are met.
All reviews taking place from year 9 at the latest and onwards must include a focus on preparing for adulthood, including employment, independent living and participation in society. Annual review meetings taking place in year 9 should have a particular focus on considering options and choices for the next phase of education and schools should invite representatives of post-16 institutions to these review meetings, particularly where the child or young person has expressed a desire to attend a particular institution.