What is the job of an EHC Plan Writer?

Writing an EHC plan is a complex but rewarding task. The job of an EHCP writer is to turn multiple professional assessment reports about a child/young person’s identified special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) into a consistent and coherent document. This document needs to address all the areas of need and comply with the SEND Code of Practice, whilst also ensuring that it is functional and can be understood by everyone involved.

The task therefore involves analysing and conveying complex information in a clear and concise manner, and into the format of the Local Authority’s EHCP template.

Skills, knowledge and experience required

In order to become an EHCP writer, you need to be able to demonstrate a range of practical skills and knowledge, as shown below:

The most important elements for anyone starting out in plan writing to aim for are:

• gaining a really good understanding of the SEND Code of Practice and the statutory requirements for EHC plans;
• learning how to analyse and collate information and write in a professional style, with great attention to detail.

Having experience in e.g. education, SEND or social care can be very helpful. However, there are no hard and fast rules for minimum requirements to become an EHCP writer; many plan writers train specifically for this very specialised and yet functional writing task, without having come from a related background. Earning accreditation through specialised EHCP writer training can demonstrate your expertise in the field and enhance your prospects when applying for plan writer roles.

Where to find EHC Plan Writer jobs

There are a number of avenues that you could go down to work as an EHCP writer. You could work directly within Local Authority SEND teams, work as a freelance plan writer for specialist recruitment agencies that deal with providing temporary staff for Local Authorities, or work for an external plan writing company such as Enhance EHC.

Training to become an EHC Plan Writer

As shown, plan writing is a specialist task that requires specific training. With our CPD accredited online training in EHCP writing, aspiring plan writers can gain the relevant skills, knowledge and practical plan writing experience that employers would be looking for. 

Our EHCP courses are based on our experience over 28+ years of writing EHCPs (previously SEN Statements) and training hundreds of writers. Various Local Authorities use the Fundamentals of Writing EHC Plans course as part of their in-house staff training process, whilst many independent learners new to plan writing opt to combine this introductory course with the instructor-supported In-depth EHC Plan Writing course.

Interested in training to become an EHCP writer? Download an information pack here for more details.