EHCP guidance
After diagnosis
A guided walkthrough of what happens after an autism diagnosis in England — who you'll see, what to ask your council, and how to request an EHC needs assessment.
This pathway covers England onlyRead more +
Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessments and EHCPs are an England-specific legal mechanism. Scotland uses Co-ordinated Support Plans, and Wales uses Individual Development Plans, under different systems and rules — this pathway won't be accurate for those.
Newly diagnosed? Start here — 8 steps
Built to move through quickly, not to read start to finish in one sitting. Come back any time; you can jump straight to the step you need.
- After diagnosisTwo things to do straight away, and what to expect (and not expect) from post-diagnostic support.
- ProfessionalsWho's who after a diagnosis, and why overlapping conditions don't need to be sorted out before you get support.
- SEN SupportThe school-based cycle that starts building the evidence you'll want later, and why it doesn't need to "finish" first.
- Contact the councilWhere to go, and the timing question parents ask most: is it too early to reach out?
- Request assessmentWho can ask, how to ask, and the statutory clocks that start ticking.
- Who does whatSchool, council, health, and you -- what each stage draws on, and from whom.
- If refusedWhat to do if they won't assess, or won't issue a plan -- mediation, appeal, and the deadlines that matter.
- Get supportReal free help exists for exactly the kind of form-filling and process support people often pay for.