Rulebook · Time limit
Latest review meeting that leaves the council its 4 weeks to decide
Worked out backwards from the phase transfer date (14 February); not a separate legal time limit. The council has up to 4 weeks after the review meeting to decide, and the family then needs at least 15 days to comment.
- How it is counted
- Worked out from the rules, not a separate legal time limit: 4 weeks and 15 days before 14 February in the calendar year of the move (the last day for the amended plan), so that the council can take its 4 weeks to decide and still leave 15 days for comments.
- Whose date it is
- The school or college, if the council has asked it (otherwise the council)
- What starts it
- The date the child or young person moves to the next phase of education
- What counts as done
- The annual review meeting (held or planned), or The last annual review meeting for the plan
- Type of rule
- Worked out from the law. It is not a separate legal time limit.
- Rule id
phase_transfer_school_latest_meeting- Rules version
- england-2026.10
- Law as at
- 30 September 2026
Part of how this date is counted is less certain in the law. Check the sources, and the counting note above.
If the date passes
The review still has to be carried out properly. A late step does not end the plan or cancel the review, and the plan stays in force.
Steps people often take:
- Ask the school or college (or the council, if it is running the review) when the step will happen.
- If the meeting cannot go ahead with the information needed, ask for it to be rearranged.
- Raise it with the council's SEN team, which is responsible for the review.
Your own deadlines do not change because the council is late.
Sources
- SEND Regulations 2014, reg 18Law (Act or Regulations)
- SEND Regulations 2014, reg 20(10)Law (Act or Regulations)
- SEND Regulations 2014, reg 22(2)Law (Act or Regulations)
If you think this rule is wrong or out of date, please tell us. A person reads every report.