The annual review is the statutory process of looking at the needs, provision and outcomes specified in an EHC plan, and deciding whether these need to change. 

The first review of a child or young person’s EHC plan should take place within 12 months of the EHC plan being finalised. Subsequent reviews must be completed within 12 months of the previous review.

The following steps must take place in an annual review:

• Consultation with families and young people about the EHC plan, and take account of their views, wishes and feelings
• An annual review meeting must take place to discuss the EHC plan
• Information must be gathered from the family, young person and professionals about the EHC plan, and then circulated two weeks before the meeting
• After the meeting a report of what happened must be written and sent to everyone who went to the meeting or provided information to be discussed
• After the meeting the LA reviews the EHC plan
• The LA must notify you of its decision within four weeks of the meeting

All of these steps, not just the meeting must be followed in order for an annual review to be completed.

Author: Andrew Evans