Applying for an education setting if your child has SEND

Moving from one education stage to another if your child has an EHC Plan

Moving from one stage of education to another is known as a ‘phase transfer’.

The phase transfer will likely take place during:

  • an early years setting to an infant or primary setting
  • year 2, when moving from an infant setting to a junior setting (when applicable)
  • year 6, when moving from a primary or junior setting to a secondary setting
  • year 11, when moving from a secondary setting to further education.

Phase transfers should be completed through a term 5 annual review when your child is:

  • in year 1 (if they are attending infant school)
  • in year 5
  • in year 10.

View more information on annual reviews.

When your phase transfer plan will be made

Your child’s EHC Plan Coordinator will tell you which education setting your child has been allocated.

This will be the setting that is then named in the EHC Plan.

This happens by 15 February each year for:

  • the last year in an early years setting
  • year 2
  • year 6.

This happens by 31 March each year for post-16 settings.

Changing an education setting outside of the phase transfer

You may request to change where your child goes outside of the phase transfer. Reasons for this may include:

  • when you receive the initial draft EHC Plan following an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA)
  • following an Annual Review or an emergency Annual Review
  • if you are moving into or out of the local area.

Our recommendations

Mainstream settings are for everybody, not just children and young people with SEND. These settings are typically inclusive of most needs and disabilities.

When identifying a new setting, we suggest going and visiting as many as possible.

We recommend speaking with:

  • your child's current setting
  • your child's early years SEN officer
  • your EHC Plan Coordinator
  • the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) at education settings you are considering.

When considering a setting, we recommend viewing the education setting's most recent:

  • SEN information report
  • Ofsted report.

It is a legal requirement for these reports to be published on their websites.

Get free advice

The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) provides free advice. They can help you understand your child’s rights and the process of exploring mainstream school options.

View the SENDIASS website.