What should be in Section F of an EHCP?

Section F must list the specific, quantified educational provision that will be made to meet the needs described in Section B. Every need in Section B should be matched by provision in Section F. Vague language like 'access to support' is not sufficient — provision should be measurable (e.g., '10 hours of 1:1 TA support per week').

How do I request an EHCP needs assessment in Kent?

Submit a written request to Kent County Council's SEND Team. Include professional reports, school evidence, and a description of your child's needs. You can request an assessment at any time — you do not need school permission. Kent has 6 weeks to decide whether to assess.

What happens if Section B and Section F don't match?

If a need is described in Section B but has no corresponding provision in Section F, the EHCP may be legally deficient. You can challenge this via Mandatory Reconsideration or SEND Tribunal. IPSEA provides free advice on challenging EHCP content.

Can I refuse an EHCP?

Parents can request amendments to an EHCP before signing. You have 15 days to respond to a draft EHCP. If you disagree with the final plan, you can appeal to the SEND Tribunal. You cannot be forced to accept an EHCP you believe is inadequate.

The Golden EHCP Checklist

Why this matters: An EHCP is a legal document. Section F (Educational Provision) specifies what the local authority must provide. But if the needs in Section B don't match the provision in Section F, your child may not get the support they're entitled to — and the LA may not be breaking any rules.

EHCP Sections at a Glance

Section	Name	Status
A	Child's / young person's views, interests and aspirations	Informative
B	Special educational needs (SEN)	Key — describes needs
C	Health needs related to SEN	Informative
D	Social care needs related to SEN	Informative
E	Outcomes — what the child is working towards	Informative
F	Educational provision to meet SEN in Section B	⚖️ Legally binding
G	Health provision to meet health needs in Section C	Informative
H	Social care provision	Informative
I	School or other placement	⚖️ Legally binding
J	Personal budget (if applicable)	Informative
K	Appendices — professional advice and information	Informative

The Golden Rule: Section B → Section F

For every need identified in Section B, there must be a corresponding provision in Section F. If a need is named in B but there is no provision for it in F, the EHCP has a gap — and you have grounds to challenge it.

The Golden EHCP Checklist

Work through this checklist when reviewing a draft or finalised EHCP. Print it out, or use it alongside the document.

✅ Section B — Does it clearly describe your child?

☐ Does Section B describe your child's needs specifically, not generically?
☐ Are needs described in detail — not just "has autism" but how autism affects them?
☐ Does it cover communication and interaction needs?
☐ Does it cover sensory and physical needs?
☐ Does it cover cognition and learning needs?
☐ Does it cover social, emotional and mental health needs?
☐ Are any health-related educational needs included (e.g. fatigue, anxiety affecting learning)?
☐ Were your views as a parent incorporated?
☐ Were your child's own views incorporated (if appropriate)?
☐ Is the professional advice from assessments reflected accurately?

✅ Section F — Is provision specific and quantified?

Vague provision is unenforceable. Section F must name what support is provided, by whom, for how many hours, and with what frequency. "Access to a speech and language therapist as appropriate" is vague and almost certainly inadequate.

☐ Is every need in Section B addressed by a provision in Section F?
☐ Is each provision specific — naming the type of support (e.g. "1:1 SALT therapy, not group")?
☐ Is each provision quantified — stating hours per week/term?
☐ Does it name who provides the support (e.g. "qualified speech and language therapist")?
☐ Are any TA hours described as specialist where appropriate (not just general TA)?
☐ Does it specify whether provision is 1:1 or group?
☐ Are sensory accommodations described specifically?
☐ Is any emotional regulation support specified?
☐ Does it address communication needs with sufficient detail?
☐ Are transition support arrangements described?

✅ Section I — Is the school named?

☐ Is a specific school named (not just "a school that meets needs")?
☐ Is the named school appropriate for your child's needs as described in Section B?
☐ If you disagree with the named school, have you noted this at the draft stage?

✅ Cross-Checking B vs F

Go through Section B line by line. For each need, ask: "Where is this addressed in Section F?" If you can't find it, note the gap.

☐ Speech and language difficulties → SALT provision named in F?
☐ Sensory processing needs → sensory environment/supports named in F?
☐ Anxiety and SEMH needs → emotional regulation support named in F?
☐ Communication differences → AAC, visual supports, or communication strategies named in F?
☐ Social interaction difficulties → social skills/peer support named in F?
☐ Literacy and numeracy gaps → specialist intervention named in F?
☐ Executive function difficulties → structured routines, prompting strategies named in F?

Common Pitfalls to Watch For

"As appropriate" / "as needed" — these phrases make provision unenforceable. Push for specifics.
"Access to" — "access to speech therapy" means nothing. A child "has access" to the sun.
Hours not specified — without hours, the school can provide as little as it likes.
Qualified vs unqualified staff — the plan should specify the qualification level of the person delivering provision.
Missing needs — if a need from professional reports isn't in Section B, it won't be funded in F. Raise this at the draft stage.

What to Do If You Find Gaps

Write to the LA's SEND team, identifying each gap specifically — "Need X is described in Section B but not addressed in Section F."
Request the provision be added before the plan is finalised.
If the plan has been finalised, you have the right to ask for an early annual review.
You can appeal to the SEND Tribunal if the LA refuses to amend the plan.
Seek support from IPSEA, SOS!SEN, or a specialist SEND solicitor.

Useful Resources

IPSEA — Independent Provider of Special Education Advice (free legal advice)
SOS!SEN — Special Educational Needs helpline
GOV.UK — EHC needs assessments
Kent SENDIASS — free, impartial advice for Kent families
SENDPath — EHCP Solicitors directory

This is not legal advice. This checklist is for general guidance only. Every EHCP is different, and legal rights depend on individual circumstances. Always consult a qualified SEND specialist or solicitor for advice on your specific situation. Read our full disclaimer.