Rulebook · Time limit

Plan reviewed and amended before a move between school phases

The plan must be reviewed, and amended where needed, so that the final amended plan names the school or other institution (or type) for after the move.

How it is counted

Before 15 February in the calendar year of the move: the last day is 14 February.

Whose date it is

The council

What starts it

The date the child or young person moves to the next phase of education

What counts as done

The council sent the final amended plan, or its decision not to amend

Type of rule

Law (Act or Regulations)

Rule id

phase_transfer_school

Rules version

england-2026.10

Law as at

30 September 2026

If the date passes

The council still has to do this, as soon as it can. Passing the date does not by itself change any decision or end the plan.

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

• SEND Regulations 2014, reg 18(1)Law (Act or Regulations)
• SEND Code of Practice 2015, para 9.179Code of Practice: must (restates the law)

Work out your dates

The whole rulebook