You’ve read the document. You’ve sat through the briefing. But when the bell rings and 30 students walk through your door, how do you actually deliver on an EHCP?
That’s exactly what our Excell Connect EHCP series is all about. We’re moving from theory to practice — giving you the specific, classroom-ready tools you need to support your EHCP students with confidence.
Whether you’re a newly qualified teacher (NQT/ECT), an experienced supply teacher, or a teaching assistant stepping into a new setting, this guide is for you.
👉 Watch the full video on our YouTube channel, Excell Connect
What Is an EHCP?
An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is a legally binding document issued by a local authority for children and young people aged 0–25 who have special educational needs or disabilities (SEND). It outlines the child’s needs, the outcomes they’re working toward, and — crucially — the specific provisions that must be delivered.
As a teacher, you are central to delivering that plan. Not just aware of it. Central to it.
The 3 EHCP Sections Every Teacher Must Know
There are 11 sections in an EHCP (A through K), but three of them should be your go-to reference points every single day:
Section B – The Child’s Needs
This is the “who.” It outlines the child’s strengths, difficulties, and specific educational needs. Read this before you plan a single lesson for that student. It tells you how they learn, what challenges them, and what they bring to the room.
Section E – The Outcomes
These are the goals the child is working toward by the end of their key stage. Your teaching should actively move them closer to these milestones — not just manage their day-to-day experience, but genuinely progress them.
Section F – The Legally Binding Provisions
This is the non-negotiable section. Section F lists the specific strategies, resources, and accommodations that must be delivered in the classroom. These aren’t suggestions. They’re legal requirements. Know them. Deliver them.
Your Role in the Annual Review
Here’s something that doesn’t get said enough: your voice in an EHCP annual review is irreplaceable.
Your SENCO can pull data and spreadsheets all day, but they can’t be in your classroom every day. You are. You see:
- How a child responds when a lesson format changes
- The small struggles before they show up on paper
- The breakthroughs that don’t fit into a spreadsheet
Don’t wait for the official review if a child isn’t making progress. Go to your SENCO now. Your observations directly shape the plan — and ultimately, the child’s outcomes.
6 Inclusive Classroom Strategies That Work for Every Child
Here’s the thing most teachers don’t realise: the strategies that support EHCP students are just brilliant teaching. They benefit every child in your room. Stop thinking of them as extra work and start thinking of them as an upgrade to your whole-class practice.
1. Movement Breaks
Short, structured movement breaks improve focus and regulation — not just for SEND students, but for everyone. Build them into your lesson transitions.
2. Chunking Tasks
Break complex tasks into smaller, clearly defined steps. Reduces overwhelm, increases completion rates, and helps students self-monitor their progress.
3. Writing Frames
Scaffolded writing supports reduce cognitive load and allow students to focus on content rather than structure. Particularly powerful for students with literacy difficulties.
4. Pre-Teaching Vocabulary
Introduce key terms before the lesson begins. This levels the playing field and gives every student the language they need to access the content confidently.
5. Structured Routines
Predictability reduces anxiety. A consistent lesson structure — same starter format, same transition cues — creates a safe environment where students can focus on learning rather than navigating uncertainty.
6. Regular Check-Ins
Brief, low-stakes check-ins (a thumbs up, a quick word, a mini-whiteboard response) let you gauge understanding and emotional state without singling anyone out.
How to Deploy Your TA for Maximum Impact
A teaching assistant is one of the most valuable resources in your classroom — but only if they’re deployed strategically.
The goal is independence, not dependency. Constant 1-to-1 supervision can actually hinder a child’s progress by preventing them from developing the skills to manage challenges themselves.
Instead, use your TA to:
- Circulate the whole class during independent work (not just sit with one student)
- Pre-teach or consolidate learning with small groups
- Observe and record progress for review purposes
- Support transitions and routines that reduce anxiety
- Talk to your TA. Plan together. They’re your partner in delivering the EHCP — treat them like one.
Watch the Full Guide on YouTube
We’ve covered a lot here, but the full video goes even deeper. In our Excell Connect EHCP series, we walk through every one of these strategies with real classroom context, practical examples, and the kind of honest, no-fluff advice that actually helps.
Subscribe to Excell Connect for weekly classroom guides, safeguarding resources, and NQT/ECT support — all free, all practical.
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All registered supply staff receive free CPD and training — including access to resources just like this one.