What to expect – Annual Review timeline (what happens when)
The full Annual Review Process often takes around 4 to 12 weeks after the meeting, depending on whether the EHC Plan is being maintained, amended, or ceased. The key stages and timescales are below.
| Stage | Approximate timing | Summary of what it usually involves |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Planning the review | Around four weeks before the meeting | The setting contacts you to agree a date, checks any access/communication needs, and starts inviting professionals and gathering advice and views. |
| 2. Sharing advice and views | At least two weeks before the meeting | The setting collates information (child/young person views, parent views, professional reports, staff views) and prepares an annotated copy of the EHC Plan for discussion. |
| 3. The Annual Review meeting | Meeting date | Person-centred discussion about progress, what’s working/not working, outcomes and provision. Agreed actions and recommendations are recorded. |
| 4. Write-up and paperwork shared | Within two weeks after the meeting | The setting sends the completed annual review paperwork to SENDAR and shares it with those who attended. |
| 5. Local authority decision | Within four weeks after the meeting (legal timescale) | SENDAR notifies you of its decision to maintain, amend or cease the EHC Plan. If amendments are proposed, you receive a Notice to Amend showing suggested changes. You have at least 15 calendar days to respond. A final amended EHC Plan must be issued within 12 weeks of the annual review meeting. |