7 EHC Annual Review Mistakes Schools Make (And How to Avoid Them)

The EHC plan annual review is a statutory requirement — get it wrong, and you risk complaints, tribunal appeals, and serious Ofsted scrutiny. Yet many schools repeat the same preventable mistakes year after year.

Having reviewed hundreds of EHC annual review processes, here are the 7 most common mistakes and exactly how to fix them.

Mistake 1: Reviewing Only Educational Targets

The most common error is treating the annual review as purely an education meeting. Under SCoP 9.166, the review must assess all sections of the EHC plan — including health and social care provisions.

The fix: Use a structured review template that explicitly prompts discussion of Sections B, C, D, E, F, G, H1, and H2. Our EHC Annual Review Record template includes checkboxes for each section to ensure nothing is missed.

Mistake 2: Not Circulating Reports 2 Weeks in Advance

Schools are required to gather written advice from all relevant parties and circulate it at least two weeks before the meeting (SCoP 9.173). Many schools send paperwork just days before — or worse, present it at the meeting itself.

The fix: Set a calendar reminder 3 weeks before each review to request reports. Use a tracking spreadsheet to monitor which reports have been received.

Mistake 3: Failing to Include the Child or Young Person

SCoP 9.169 is clear: the child or young person must be supported to participate. Yet many reviews happen without meaningful pupil voice — or without the young person present at all.

The fix: Prepare the pupil in advance. Use visual aids, one-page profiles, or pre-meeting conversations. If they cannot attend, document how their views were gathered and represented.

Mistake 4: Missing the 2-Week Report Deadline

After the meeting, the headteacher must send the review report to the LA within two weeks (SCoP 9.176). Late submissions delay LA decisions and can push the entire process beyond the statutory 12-week window.

The fix: Write the draft report during or immediately after the meeting. Use a template with pre-populated sections to speed up the process.

Mistake 5: Vague Provision Descriptions

Section F of the EHC plan should specify provision that is additional to and different from what is ordinarily available. Phrases like "regular support" or "as needed" are not specific enough.

The fix: Quantify everything. Instead of "TA support," write "1:1 TA support for literacy, 30 minutes daily, delivered by a trained teaching assistant."

Mistake 6: Ignoring Transition Planning

For Year 5 pupils and above, the annual review should include preparation for adulthood outcomes (SCoP 8.9). Year 9 reviews must focus explicitly on transition planning. Many schools leave this until Year 11 — far too late.

The fix: Add a "Preparation for Adulthood" section to every review from Year 5 onwards. Cover employment, independent living, community participation, and health.

Mistake 7: Not Requesting Early Reviews When Needed

Annual reviews are the minimum. If circumstances change significantly — placement breakdown, health deterioration, or provision not meeting needs — you can and should request an early review (SCoP 9.191).

The fix: Train staff to recognise trigger points. Document any significant changes and communicate with the LA promptly.

Get It Right Every Time

A well-run annual review protects the child, satisfies the LA, and demonstrates your SEND leadership to Ofsted. The key is having robust systems and templates that prompt you through every statutory requirement.