Transparency
Our sources.
Every statistic, legal deadline, and claim on Send Dossier is based on verified sources. We believe SEND parents deserve accurate information — not marketing claims. This page lists every source we use and when it was last verified.
If you believe any information is incorrect or outdated, please email hello@senddossier.co.uk and we will update it immediately.
Last reviewed: April 2026
Statistics cited on our website
65.4% of EHC needs assessment requests were agreed to proceed in 2024 (England)
Source: Department for Education — Education, health and care plans
Notes: Official release covering 2024 calendar-year request outcomes (agreed to proceed vs not agreed).
Verified: April 2026
638,700+ children and young people had an EHC plan in England (January 2025)
Source: Department for Education — Special educational needs in England
Notes: January 2025 official statistics release (EHC plan caseload).
Verified: April 2026
20 weeks from EHC needs assessment request to final EHC plan, unless statutory exceptions apply (England)
Source: Department for Education — SEND Code of Practice 0 to 25
Notes: Statutory maximum is set out in the Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014 (reg. 13): legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2014/1530/regulation/13
Verified: April 2026
99% of SEN appeal cases decided by a tribunal in 2024/25 were decided in favour of the appellant
Source: Ministry of Justice — Tribunal statistics quarterly (annual SEND data)
Notes: Annual SEND tribunal figures for 2024/25 are published in the quarterly tribunal statistics release.
Verified: April 2026
Legal deadlines in our calculator
The EHCP Deadline Calculator is based on the following statutory sources. All deadlines apply to England only.
| Deadline | Timeframe | Source |
|---|---|---|
| LA response to EHCP request | 6 weeks | SEND CoP 9.4 |
| Final EHCP must be issued | 20 weeks | CFA 2014, s.42 |
| Response to draft EHCP | 15 working days | SEND CoP 9.78 |
| LA issues final after draft | 8 weeks | SEND CoP 9.102 |
| SEND Tribunal appeal window | 2 months | SEND CoP 11.43 |
| LA response after annual review | 4 weeks | SEND CoP 9.176 |
| Next annual review due | 12 months | SEND CoP 9.166 |
| Complaint response | 20 working days | DfE Complaints Toolkit |
| Subject Access Request | 1 calendar month | UK GDPR Art.12 |
SEND CoP = SEND Code of Practice 0–25 (2015, updated 2020). CFA 2014 = Children and Families Act 2014.
Sources used in our guides
Our SEND guides for parents are based on the following official sources and organisations.
- GOV.UK SEND guidance — national overview for families and professionals.
- SEND Code of Practice 0 to 25 — statutory guidance for organisations working with children and young people with SEND.
- Children and Families Act 2014 — primary legislation underpinning EHCPs in England.
- IPSEA — Independent Provider of Special Education Advice.
- Contact — for families with disabled children.
- SOSSEN — SOS Special Educational Needs.
- DfE SEN Statistics — official statistics on SEND in England.
- SEND Tribunal statistics — Ministry of Justice collections.
Send Dossier is not a legal advice service. The information on this site is for guidance only and is based on English law and guidance. Laws and statistics change — we aim to keep this page updated but recommend checking primary sources for the most current information.
For legal advice contact IPSEA or your local SENDIASS service.
Found an error? Email us: hello@senddossier.co.uk
Report an error →