When it comes to EHCPs, there’s one thing most parents don’t realise: missing a key deadline could cost your child vital support.
The 20-Week Rule
When you apply for an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA), the Local Authority has strict deadlines to follow. From the day they agree to assess, they must issue the final EHCP within 20 weeks.
This timeline is written into law under the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Regulations 2014.
But here’s the catch — if parents don’t keep track of the dates, it’s easy for Local Authorities to delay and leave children waiting months longer than they should.
Why the Deadline Matters
Every week lost is a week without the right support in place. For children struggling with:
- School refusal / EBSA
- Mental health needs
- Learning difficulties
- Behaviour linked to unmet needs
…delays mean they continue to miss education, fall further behind, and often reach crisis point.
Common Tactics of Delay
Parents tell us that Local Authorities often:
- Take weeks to “gather advice” from professionals.
- Push reviews back.
- Issue vague drafts that drag out the process.
- Rely on families not knowing the 20-week deadline exists.
What Parents Can Do
💡 Don’t leave it to them — keep your own record.
- Write down the date the LA agreed to assess.
- Count forward 20 weeks — that’s your deadline for a final EHCP.
- If the deadline passes, you can formally complain or even appeal to tribunal.
- Don’t accept “we’re busy” as an excuse — the law is clear.
Final Thought
The 20-week deadline isn’t a guideline — it’s the law. Missing it can cost your child months of education and support.
Parents who know this rule are in a much stronger position to hold their Local Authority to account.
👉 Need help keeping track or challenging missed deadlines? We’ve put together free template letters at AskEllie.co.uk to get you started.
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