Old Lane Studio Free tool · England

Education, Health and Care plans

EHCP deadline calculator for families in England

A free working aid to help you see the main statutory dates in the Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment process in England. It is general information, not legal advice, and it does not tell you what to argue.

For families in England. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have different systems.

Please read this first

This calculator is a free organisation tool from Old Lane Studio. It is general information, not legal advice.

Dates are worked out from official timescales last checked in November 2026. If a letter gives you a different date, use the letter. In limited circumstances a legal exemption may apply, so check any letter you have been sent.

If a deadline is close, or you are unsure, contact your local SENDIASS service or IPSEA. Links are at the bottom of this page.

Enter the date the local authority received the request — or the date in the acknowledgement letter. You can also add later dates if you have them. Your dates stay on this page. We do not ask for your name or email, and we do not store what you enter.

Your dates

Leave blank any date you do not have. You can still see the dates that can be worked out from what you do enter.

Use the date the request was received, or the date given in the acknowledgement letter. This is day 0 for the 6, 16 and 20 week timescales.
The day the draft plan was served on you.
The date the final EHC plan was issued.
The date the annual review meeting took place.
The date on the local authority’s decision letter, if you are looking at appeal time limits.
The date on the mediation certificate, if you have one.

Want a fuller record to keep?

The EHCP Journey Organiser is a 21-page printable and spreadsheet for families in England, £9.99 + VAT (£11.99 for UK buyers). It is an organisation tool, not legal advice. This page stays free either way.

View the organiser on Etsy (£9.99 + VAT (£11.99 for UK buyers))

Free help and official pages

If a deadline is close, or you are unsure, these services can help. They are independent of Old Lane Studio.

IPSEA

Independent legal advice and information on special educational needs and disability law as it applies in England. The Advice Line is appointment-based.

ipsea.org.uk
Advice Line

Find your local SENDIASS service

Information, Advice and Support Services offer free, impartial advice. Use the Council for Disabled Children finder to locate your local service.

Find your local IAS service

Contact

Helpline for families with disabled children. Freephone 0808 808 3555, Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5pm, except public holidays; Tuesdays currently open at 10.15am. Press 1 for an education adviser. Email helpline@contact.org.uk.

Hours and routes can change — please check the website. Figures current as of November 2026.

Contact helpline