Following the annual review process, the Local Authority (LA) may make the decision to ‘cease to maintain’ an Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP). This means that the EHCP will come to an end, and the LA will no longer have a legal duty to ensure the provision specified in the plan is received.
Preparing for an EHCP coming to an end can be an uncertain time, and it’s important that the transition is well planned.
Children and young people may no longer require the provision set out within an EHCP because:
A young person is prepared for/or intends to move into employment
A young person aged 18 or over no longer wishes to continue to engage within formal education
A young person has completed their time in further education and is transitioning into higher education
The EHCP outcomes have been met and the school or college can meet their needs without additional provision being made in accordance with an EHCP
A young person is moving into full adult health or social care support services, accessing universal services
Once a young person reaches the end of the academic year in which they turn 25 years, EHCPs don't apply
If a child or young person or their parent/carer doesn't agree with our decision to cease to maintain the EHCP, they'll have rights of appeal. More information can be found within the ‘Resolving Disagreements’ area of the Local Offer.