Rulebook · Time limit

Review of the plan by the new council

The new council must review the plan before the later of two dates: the end of the 12 months beginning with the date the plan was made (or, if it has been reviewed, the previous review), and the end of the 3 months beginning with the date of the transfer. Moving does not restart the 12 months.

How it is counted

Within 3 months beginning with the date of the transfer (that day counts, so the period ends the day before the same date 3 months later, or at the end of a shorter month), or within 12 months beginning with the date the plan was made or, if it has been reviewed, the previous review (that day counts, so the period ends the day before the anniversary (28 February for a period beginning with 29 February)), whichever is later.

Whose date it is

The council

What starts it

The plan transferred to a new council after a move

What counts as done

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

Type of rule

Law (Act or Regulations)

Rule id

review_after_transfer

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

• SEND Regulations 2014, reg 15(5)(a)Law (Act or Regulations)
• SEND Regulations 2014, reg 15(5)(b)Law (Act or Regulations)
• SEND Regulations 2014, reg 20(10)Law (Act or Regulations)

Work out your dates

The whole rulebook