England EHCPs, Wales IDPs, Scotland ASL/CSPs and Northern Ireland Statements
The statutory support system is different in each UK nation.
ADHD, EHCPs and the Equivalent UK Systems
EHCP is an England-only term. Other UK nations use different statutory systems and plan names.
Wales
Additional Learning Needs (ALN), Additional Learning Provision and Individual Development Plans (IDPs).
Scotland
Additional Support for Learning, with support plans and Co-ordinated Support Plans for some children who meet the legal criteria.
Northern Ireland
SEN support and Statements of Special Educational Needs under the Northern Ireland framework.
The issue is the child's educational needs, the provision required and whether the legal criteria in the relevant nation are met.
Evidence that can support a statutory-plan request
- Support already tried and reviewed
- Educational and attendance impact
- Professional reports
- Reasonable adjustments required
- Behaviour or distress patterns
- Therapy or health provision where educationally relevant
- Pupil and family views
Support across the UK
Education systems differ across the four nations. Use the route for where the child is educated.
England
SEN Support and EHCPs operate under the Children and Families Act 2014 and SEND Code of Practice.
Wales
Wales uses the Additional Learning Needs system and Individual Development Plans (IDPs).
Scotland
Scotland uses Additional Support for Learning and may use plans including Co-ordinated Support Plans where legal criteria are met.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland uses its SEN framework, Education Authority support and Statements of Special Educational Needs.
Right First Time UK — Information Notice
Right First Time UK provides general information, awareness resources and signposting. We are not a school, local authority, NHS diagnostic service, tribunal, law firm or regulated advice service.
Education law and terminology differ across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Check the official source for the country where the child is educated.