DfE Guidance for local authorities on EHC plan eligibility for 19-25 year olds with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

The DfE have published Guidance for local authorities on post-19 EHC plan eligibility for young people with SEND.

You can download the full guidance at: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-19-to-25-year-olds-entitlement-to-ehc-plans

The key messages include:

• Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan annual reviews must have an explicit focus on preparing children and young people for adulthood from year 9 onwards. Clearly defined EHC plan outcomes are critical to set out the steps that enable young people to transition successfully to adult life. 
• We expect the majority of young people with EHC plans to complete further education alongside their peers, i.e. by age 19.  But we recognise that some young people with SEND may take longer to learn, and may need their EHC plans extended so they can access the special educational provision that enables them to achieve the education and training outcomes specified in their EHC plans.
• Section 45 of the Children and Families Act ('the Act') sets out the circumstances when a local authority may cease to maintain an EHC plan.
• We would expect the majority of young people post-19 who needed more time to complete the outcomes in their EHC plans to study in appropriate further education (FE) provision. Provision should be delivered through a coherent study programme, providing stretch and progression, which enables them to achieve the best possible outcomes in adult life. 
• Young people with SEND but without an EHC plan, who still wish to continue in further education, may be able to access adult programmes funded by the Skills Funding Agency.