What is section A of an Education, Health and Care Plan?

Section A of an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is your opportunity to tell education, health and social care professionals about your child. It is thought to be the most important part of an EHCP..

2 Important points:

  • you know your child better than anyone
  • there’s no right or wrong way to complete this section

These suggestions give you a structure to organise and present your thoughts to the professionals who will be supporting your child. The more accurate you are in describing your child’s needs the better. It will help professionals to identify the right support for your child.

Top tips for writing an effective contribution to section A

  • Detail matters. Share all you can about your child or young person. Include their needs and the strategies that work for them.
  • Talk to other people who know your child. This could be partners, relatives, friends, and anyone else who knows your child well. Their responses might help you decide what you want to include.
  • Where possible, use evidence to help you show what you mean. You may have reports from professionals who know your child. You can include these and request that they be attached to the final document in section K.
  • Be honest – as parents, it is easier to talk about our children's successes and strengths. Note any challenges in section A. If you identify all your child’s needs, the rest of the EHCP can show how their setting will meet these needs. This can help your child thrive.
  • Help your child with their section A. Also, include what they hope to achieve. Some children or young people can complete this with little help. This depends on their age and ability. You know your child best, so every child should be able to contribute to section A, even if it’s in a small way.
  • You can complete your child's part of section A on their behalf if necessary. Write from their perspective.  For example, you could write 'I am autistic and have hypermobile joints. This sometimes makes walking longer distances difficult'. You can say in the ‘how was this information obtained’ part, that your child's contribution was written fully or partially by you as the parent.
  • When you have finished, pass your section A to someone who knows your child well. Ask them if it includes everything you need before you send it back.
  • At any EHCP meetings, remind everyone that your contributions, along with your child's, are the ‘golden thread’ in the document. This thread helps to create a clear plan to reach the outcomes, goals, and aspirations listed in section A.

If you require further support with writing section A, contact the SEND Information, Advice and Support (SENDIAS) Service through their website.