Understanding EHC Plans: An EHC Plan Writer's Perspective
15 May, 20241-2 minutes
In this blog, you will learn:
- What to expect in a career as an Education Health Care Plan Writer.
- How to write an effective, personal EHC Plan that meets the needs and outcomes for each child or young person with SEND.
- How to find and apply for the best EHC Plan Writer jobs.
An EHCP is a legal document which describes a child or young person’s Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and outlines the support they need to achieve the best outcomes and the best chance for educational success.
If you’ve ever wondered who writes an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) or what a career is like in this field, we recently caught up with a seasoned EHC Plan Writer who has taken the time out of her busy schedule to share her experience.
Coming to the end of her 20-year career, this EHC Plan Writer has seen a lot of change in the industry especially with the continuous rise in the number of children and young people needing EHC Plans.
Despite the increase in demands for EHCP Writers, this individual takes pride in helping children and young people with SEND get the help and support they need to thrive.
Can you tell us about your career journey so far?
I started my plan writing career 20 years ago, when they were a very different document, called Statement of Educational Needs. I have always been very involved in my children's education and a friend recommended to my employer, as a potential Plan Writer.
I previously worked for a large corporate company as a tutor in their training and development department. I used to present management training courses and was a mentor for young people aspiring to progress into the management grade. In one way or another, education has always been my career.
What does your role as an EHC Plan Writer consist of?
My role consists of solely writing plans for different councils with the UK. I am given the advice needed to prepare a draft from the professionals involved with the child, such as educational staff, specialist SEND Teachers, therapists (Speech and Language, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy), community paediatrician and any other medical professionals. I also get details of any social care involvement.
I obviously have no involvement with the child and so my drafts are impartial and completely objective. My role is to edit the reports I have been given and include these into a draft EHC plan. At times this can mean editing over one hundred pages of advice into a 16-page draft plan.
What accomplishments are you most proud of?
I am simply proud of the fact that for over 20 years, my plans have helped children get the help and support they needed. I couldn’t ask for anything more.
How do you keep up-to-date with changes in the SEND industry?
The company I work for is constantly updating work procedures, in response to the latest legislation and by attending seminars and conferences, and this is then communicated to the writers.
Can you share some obstacles you faced in your role as an EHC Plan Writer and how you overcame them?
I would say some of the major obstacles I have faced during my career is poor report writing from professionals. My company prides itself on writing professional plans, which can be incredibly challenging when you are using poor advice.
What’s the most valuable lesson you have learned in your career?
No matter the quality of advice I receive, or even the level of difficulty, I think the most valuable lesson for me is consistency. It is so important to be consistent in your writing style and the approach you take in writing each plan.
Writing a plan that is easy to understand, easy to read, and contains no jargon is key to writing a document that is effective and good quality.
How have things changed or progressed in the SEND sector since the start of your career?
The plan has progressed enormously since I started writing them twenty years ago. Objectives have become more measurable, and achievable and the provision has become more succinct.
What changes would you like to see to better support the needs of children and young people with SEND?
In the future, I would like to see not only professionals who are responsible for SEND but all involved, to be more mindful of the child when providing advice. I often see generic templates being used rather than being personal to the child.
What advice would you give to aspiring EHC Plan Writers entering the field today?
For anyone wanting to enter this career, I would say suspend judgement, have an open mind and first and foremost have the child in mind, that is who you are writing this for, potentially following them into adulthood.
What are your future career plans?
I am pretty much coming to the end of my career and realistically I will only continue for another 5 years or so, before I retire.
SEND jobs
If you’re searching for your next SEND job, why not take a look at the latest vacancies, or simply upload your CV to be notified when a relevant position becomes available.
- SEN Success Stories: behind closed doors with an EHCP Reviewing Officer
- EHCP Coordinator interview questions and answers
- An inside view: EHC Coordinator on the benefits of a national EHCP template
Local authority recruitment services
As specialist local authority SEND recruiters, we support local authorities nationwide with their temporary, interim and permanent staffing needs.
We can supply SEND staff for service redesign, tackling annual review backlogs and SEND/EHC Case workers to amend plans or hold annual review meetings.
If you’re struggling to fill a vacancy, why not get in touch with one of our team to see how we can help?
- South of the UK - Richard Shorrock
- Midlands & North of the UK - Adam Zyda
Share your experience
Every individual brings a unique set of experiences, thoughts, and insights to the table. We believe in giving a voice to a community of professionals to inspire positive change and champion reform in the SEND sector.
If you work in the SEND sector and would like to share your own personal and professional experiences, we’d love to hear from you. Perhaps you have a different perspective, could offer a fresh angle, or want to challenge assumptions.
Simply reach out to our Head of Content, Nicole Sherwood, to discuss a collaboration which makes your voice count.
Who is Spencer Clarke Group?
Established in 2017, we’re a vibrant and progressive recruitment agency based in the heart of the North West.
We continually reimagine the recruitment process to challenge convention and defy expectations; from creating a better recruitment experience to remodelling employee engagement, we thrive off doing things differently and turning heads along the way.
We operate in two sectors:
In eleven specialisms:
Healthcare, Social Care & Nursing
Corporate Functions & Business Support
