Who is my coordinator?
The casework team assigns coordinators to work with the family by school and year group. Coordinators are allocated based on your child's school and year group.
To confirm who your coordinator is:
- Ask your child's school or educational setting.
- Or contact the SEND Service directly at send@lbhf.gov.uk
Working with your coordinator
The EHC coordinator supports families who have a child/young person with an EHC plan.
They can help with:
- School or training provider placements
- Phase transfers (e.g. nursery to primary, primary to secondary)
- Travel assistance
- Annual reviews for the EHC plans
Annual reviews
These take place every year (every six months for children under 5). They're a great opportunity to raise concerns or ask questions. However, you don't need to wait for the review, if your child's needs change, speak to the school first, then contact your coordinator to discuss an early review if needed.
Choosing a school
Parents and carers or you as a young person and your coordinator will work together to identify the most suitable school based on your child's or your needs and preferences. Here's how the process works:
- Submit your school preferences to your coordinator.
- The coordinator will consult with your chosen schools and others the Local Authority considers appropriate.
- Once all responses are received, the Local Authority will decide which school to name in the EHC plan.
If you disagree with the decision, you have the right to appeal.
Changing schools during transitions phases
Your coordinator will support you through key transitions, such as:
- Primary to secondary school
- Secondary school to further education
If you are considering changing schools, please discuss it with your coordinator during the annual review in the previous year (for example in year 5, year 10).
Annual reviews in the final year at a school (e.g. Year 6 or Year 11) also serve as transition reviews. The new school may attend to help plan the move.
For more details, see: Transferring between key stages of education if your child has an EHC plan
Changing schools outside of transition phases
If you believe your child's needs have changed:
- Speak with the current school to explore support options.
- If a school change is still needed, contact your coordinator.
Any change to the school named in the EHC plan must be agreed with your coordinator.
Contacting your coordinator
You can:
- Contact your coordinator directly, or
- Email the SEND Service at send@lbhf.gov.uk and they will forward your request.
Coordinators aim to respond within 5 working days, in line with our their communication charter.
If you disagree with a SEND decision
If you disagree with a decision made by the SEND Service—such as changes to the EHC plan or a decision to cease it, follow these steps:
- Contact an independent mediation adviser
KIDS SEND Mediation Service offers a free impartial support
020 7359 3635
mediationlondon@kids.org.uk - If you still disagree
You can appeal to the First-Tier SEND Tribunal
Learn more: SEND tribunal process