Written by Gill Crea
I often get asked about what to include in a Parental Statement for Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP) applications or annual reviews, and I totally understand why! I still remember the first statement I wrote for my son’s ECHP I spent hours researching how to write it, what to include, and trying to calm my nerves. It felt pretty overwhelming trying to find just the right words to describe not only my son’s challenges but also his strengths.

Now that I’ve gone through it a few times, I feel a bit more confident, but I know it can still be daunting to receive a document and not know where to start. As a parent, you really want to make sure you’re clearly communicating your child’s needs, since you are usually their strongest advocate.
Writing a parental statement for an EHCP can be a key opportunity to express your child’s needs and strengths. One helpful tip is to jot down your thoughts on what you’d like to include in each section on a separate piece of paper. This way, you can stay organized, and it’ll make the final statement clearer. Personally, I find mind mapping works wonders! Here are some tips to help you create an effective statement:
1. Be Clear and Concise:
Use simple language to describe your child’s strengths, challenges, and needs. Avoid jargon unless absolutely necessary.
2. Focus on Your Child:
Shine a light on your child’s unique qualities, interests, and aspirations. Share those special personality traits and let them know how they learn best.
3. Describe Specific Needs:
Clearly explain any special educational, health, or care needs your child has, and provide real-life examples to illustrate these needs.
4.*Share Achievements:
Celebrate your child’s accomplishments, no matter how small. This helps others see how capable they are and how much progress they’re making.
5. Include Concerns:
Don’t hesitate to address any worries you have regarding your child’s education, health, or care. Just be honest yet constructive.
6. Highlight Support Strategies:
Talk about what has worked well in the past regarding support or interventions. This information can really help shape future strategies.
7. Involve Your Child:
If it fits, include your child’s perspective, if they can communicate it to you. This could cover their interests, preferences, or future goals—they might surprise you!
8. Provide Context:
Share any relevant background information, such as previous assessments or reports, to give professionals a better understanding of your child.
9. Be Positive
While it’s important to address challenges, keep a positive tone and focus on your child’s potential and possibilities.
10. Edit and Review:
Once you’re done writing, take a moment to review and polish your statement for clarity. It might help to have someone else read it for feedback too!
11. Keep It Structured:
Organize your statement logically, maybe using headings for different sections like strengths, needs, and supports.
12. Use Bullet Points:
If it fits, feel free to use bullet points—these can help make key information stand out and easier to digest.
By keeping these tips in mind, you can create a thoughtful parental statement that clearly communicates your child’s needs and helps ensure they receive the support they deserve. Good luck!
If you need any help with your child or young person’s EHCP, feel free to contact us and we will try to help