If A Child Has An EHCP In Place, Do They Also Need A Care Plan? (Video)

The starting point is that a disabled child is designated as a "Child in Need" under the Children Act 1989, and therefore they will be entitled to a social care assessment by the Local Authority, to assess what care needs they have and what support is required. From this, a care plan will be developed, which will explain how those needs are going to be met. These needs might be needs like personal care needs in the morning and the evening, or it might be respite care for the parents.

An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is a different document, which has a different purpose. Not every disabled child will be entitled to an EHCP and it will depend upon their level of needs within school and the level of additional provision they require.