If you’ve seen the latest news (or our TikTok videos), you’ll know that something serious is happening behind the scenes when it comes to EHCPs — and it could affect your child’s future.
💬 What’s going on?
A local council recently admitted to refusing an EHCP not because the child didn’t need it — but because the support was “too expensive.”
Let that sink in.
This isn’t how it’s supposed to work. EHCPs (Education, Health and Care Plans) are legal documents that set out what support a child with special educational needs must receive. Decisions about them should be based on a child’s needs, not a council’s budget.
But councils are under pressure. Some are now prioritising cost over care, and if proposed reforms go ahead, it could get worse.
❌ What are the risks?
If EHCPs get diluted or replaced, we could be facing a system where:
- There’s no legal duty to provide the support your child needs
- Councils can quietly cut hours, therapies, or even whole plans
- Parents have no real power to challenge unfair decisions
This isn’t fear-mongering — it’s already happening in pockets of the country.
💡 What can parents do?
- Know your rights
The law is still on your side. Right now, councils must meet the needs in an EHCP once it’s issued. If your child needs one, they have a right to it, regardless of how “expensive” it is. - Speak out
Share posts, write to your MP, and raise awareness. These decisions are often made quietly unless we make noise. - Use AskEllie.co.uk
Our free AI assistant is here to help you:- Understand EHCPs
- Respond to council letters
- Draft appeals and complaints
- Learn what the law says in plain English
🧠 Why this matters
For many families, the EHCP is the only tool we have to hold councils to account. Take that away, and we’re left pleading for help — with no legal backup.
We can’t let that happen.
So whether you’re just starting the EHCP process, in the middle of a fight, or worried about what’s coming — you are not alone.
Let AskEllie stand beside you. Because when parents have knowledge, they have power.
👉 Visit AskEllie.co.uk for tools, templates and support.
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