Section D: social care needs in an EHCP
What Section D should contain, what 'no social care needs' really means, and when social care provision belongs in Section F.
Section D records social care needs. Many drafts say only "no social care needs identified" — sometimes correctly, sometimes without anyone from social care having looked at the family's situation.
When social care matters for an EHCP
- Your child needs support to access activities outside school.
- Family life is affected by your child's needs (for example, you may be eligible for a carer's assessment).
- There are short breaks, direct payments, or residential options in the picture.
- Disabled Children's Team involvement exists or may be needed.
Section D → Section F
As with health care, social care provision that educates or trains is special educational provision and belongs in Section F (s.44). If Section D identifies needs that affect learning but Section F contains nothing for them, ask the council to explain — or to specify the provision.
If D says 'none identified' but you disagree
Ask in your response: "Please set out how the decision that there are no social care needs was reached, and whether a carer's assessment or Disabled Children's Team referral is appropriate." Councils must keep the plan's sections under review.
Our checker compares Section D against Section F and flags unaddressed needs.