Rulebook · Time limit

Next annual review of the plan

After each review, the next one must happen within 12 months. Amending the plan does not restart the 12 months. Reviews can be needed sooner before a phase transfer, after moving area or after a re-assessment. For children under 5, the Code says councils should consider reviewing at least every 3 to 6 months.

How it is counted

Within the 12 months starting with the date the plan was last reviewed: that day counts, so the period ends the day before the anniversary (28 February for a period beginning with 29 February).

Whose date it is

The council

What starts it

The last annual review meeting for the plan, or The annual review meeting (held or planned)

What counts as done

The annual review meeting (held or planned)

What stops it, with nothing more due

The plan transferred to a new council after a move, or The council sent the plan after re-assessment (a decision after re-assessment not to amend does not count)

Type of rule

Law (Act or Regulations)

Rule id

next_annual_review

Rules version

england-2026.10

Law as at

30 September 2026

If the date passes

The plan stays in force: it does not lapse or end because a review is late. The council still has to review it.

Steps people often take:

• Write to the council's SEN team, say which time limit has passed, and ask when it will be done.
• Make a formal complaint through the council's complaints process.
• If that does not resolve it, complain to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, which looks at delay.
• For serious delay, a solicitor can send a pre-action letter before a judicial review claim, which must be brought promptly and within 3 months.

Your own deadlines do not change because the council is late.

Sources

• Children and Families Act 2014, s 44(1)Law (Act or Regulations)
• SEND Code of Practice 2015, para 9.169Code of Practice: must (restates the law)
• SEND Code of Practice 2015, para 9.166Code of Practice: must (restates the law)
• SEND Code of Practice 2015, para 9.197Code of Practice: must (restates the law)
• SEND Code of Practice 2015, para 9.178Code of Practice: should (follow unless there is a good reason not to)

Work out your dates

The whole rulebook