15 day response window

When the local authority Local authority Your local council. In England, Wales and Scotland, this is the body you ask to assess what extra help your child needs. Read the full definition of Local authority sends you a draft EHC plan Draft EHC plan The first version of an EHC plan, sent to you to check before it is made final. You get at least 15 days to comment and to ask for the school you want. Read the full definition of Draft EHC plan , the law gives you at least 15 days to respond. These are calendar days, counted from the day the draft plan was sent to you, so weekends and holidays are included.

In that window you can say what you think of the plan's content, ask for a particular school or other setting to be named in it, and ask the local authority for a meeting. The 15 days are a minimum, not a fixed limit: if you need longer, ask, and put the request in writing.

The draft stage is the best moment to get wording changed, because once the plan is final, changes mean a review or an appeal Appeal A formal challenge to the SEND Tribunal about a council's EHC decision. It is free to bring, and you do not need a lawyer. Read the full definition of Appeal . If the description of your child's needs or support looks thin, say so now and be specific.