Rulebook · What a local authority letter includes

Whether the reasons refer to the legal test for issuing a plan (section 37(1) of the Children and Families Act 2014)

Whether the reasons refer to the legal test for issuing a plan (section 37(1) of the Children and Families Act 2014). Reasons that name the test or use its words, and say how the assessment was weighed against it, let the family compare the decision with the law. A reason the reasons check finds to go to whether a plan is necessary counts here too.

Not required by law: good practice.

Part of the letter: Decision not to issue an EHC plan after an assessment.

Type of rule

Good practiceGood practice: helpful, not required by law.

Rule id

notice.decision_not_to_issue.reasons_refer_to_test

Rules version

england-2026.10

Law as at

30 September 2026

Sources

• Children and Families Act 2014, s 37(1)Law (Act or Regulations)
• Children and Families Act 2014, s 36(9)Law (Act or Regulations)

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