EHCP transfer to a new Local Authority

After our own experience of moving borough from Surrey to Devon with an EHCP in place, I have put together these tips as I feel they could be helpful for other parents.

Tips when transferring an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) to a new Local Authority

As soon as you know you’re moving

· Call the Special Educational Needs (SEN) team in the new local authority to let them know you will be moving into the area. Explain that an EHCP has been issued in your current local authority and ask them if they will honour its funding and the provision specified in the EHC plan when you transfer to them. Make notes of the date, who you speak to, and what they say.

· Begin a spreadsheet listing dates, who you spoke to and what about in relation to the EHCP transfer. Update it daily, as this makes it easy to keep on top of. If there are any issues down the line you can quote from it quickly and easily.

· To my knowledge emails sent on the “Secure Egress System” disappear after a certain time, so download any which are important, and make notes of their times and dates and content on your spreadsheet.

About a month before your move

· Request that your EHCP Co-Ordinator phones the new SEN team in your new local authority to make them aware of the move and to chat through the special educational provision and funding in the plan . Ask them to confirm to you by email that they have done this.

· Send the prospective new school a copy of the EHCP yourself

· Ask all therapists who work with your child to contact their equivalent in the new borough to ask about when they can make the referral. They will often be told it can only be done on the date of the move or afterwards. Write in to your spreadsheet all of the dates that the referrals are made. Ensure your therapists have your new address, and your child’s new school to include with their referral.

Just before your move

· Ensure that the new SEN team in your new Local Authority has spoken to your child’s new school to explain the funding and special educational provision to them and when it will be in place.

A couple of days after your move

· Keep an eye out that a transfer letter is sent from your previous Local Authority to your new Local Authority which contains the new EHCP, all supporting documents, and the name of the new school your child is going to attend. Make a note on your spreadsheet on the date this was done. Rules on timing of the transfer of the plan: SEND Code of Practice 0-25 years 9.157.

A week after your move

· Check your plan has been transferred

· Check all therapy referrals have been made

· Check emails for the name of your Coordinator and get in touch with them.

Six weeks after your move

According to the SEN Code of Practice section 9.160 within six weeks of the date when your child’s EHC plan is transferred, the new Local Authority team must tell you (or the young person) when they will review it and whether they propose to make an EHC needs assessment. (See section: Transfer of EHC plans, p.192, 9.157 – 9.162)

Relevant legislation: Section 47 of the Children and Families Act 2014 and

Section 15 and 16 of the SEND Regulations 2014