All EHCPs must be reviewed at least once per year; this is a legal requirement. For Early Years, EHCPs are reviewed at least every 6 months, up to the child's 5^th birthday (SEND Code of Practice, p. 198, 9.178).

The Annual Review must be completed on or before the anniversary of when the EHC plan was first issued, or the anniversary of the last review.

• If your child is within 12 months of transferring from nursery to primary school or primary to secondary school, a review needs to be held to inform this transition.  Any changes to your child's EHC plan should be made by 15^th February of the calendar year in which your child is due to transition.

• If your child is transitioning from secondary school to post-16 education (including an apprenticeship), a review should take place by 31^st March of the calendar year in which they will transition to post-16.

An Annual Review can be held earlier than it is due. Parents/carers or children and young people (over 16) can request this. Typically, an early Annual Review is requested if it is felt that there has been a significant change in the children and young people's needs or the support required to meet their needs (and the EHC plan therefore no longer describes the child's needs or requirements accurately).

If a child/ young person is at significant risk of exclusion, or has been excluded from school, a review meeting would be a good opportunity to formally consider their needs.