Definition
A phase transfer review is the annual review held before a child with an EHCP moves between key stages of education: early years to primary, primary to secondary, secondary to post-16, post-16 to post-19. The LA must amend the EHCP and name the receiving setting in Section I by 15 February (school transfer) or 31 March (post-16 / 19) of the transfer year (SEND Regulations 2014, regulation 18).
In context for parents
Key checkpoints
- An annual review held before a child with an EHCP moves between key stages of education.
- LA must amend the EHCP and name the receiving setting in Section I by 15 February (school transfer) or 31 March (post-16 / 19) of the transfer year (SEND Regulations 2014, regulation 18).
- For Year 6 to secondary: an October–November annual review is the practical minimum.
- LA must consult preferred school under section 39 Children and Families Act 2014, and must name it unless narrow s.39(4) grounds apply.
- If the 15 February deadline is missed, remedies include LA complaint, LGSCO, and judicial review.
The phase transfer deadlines are the hardest legal dates in the SEND year. For a Year 6 child moving to secondary, the new school must be named in a finalised, amended plan by 15 February of Year 6. For a Year 11 child moving to post-16, the date is 31 March. For Year 13 to post-19 (specialist provision or higher education), again 31 March. The clocks run backwards: an October–November annual review is the practical minimum, because the LA needs time to amend, consult schools, and finalise.
In practice, this means the phase transfer annual review should be held in the autumn term of the transfer year. Parents who name a preferred school in their parental contribution at the autumn review give the LA time to consult that school under section 39 Children and Families Act 2014, and the LA must name it unless one of the narrow grounds applies (unsuitable for age, ability, aptitude or SEN; or incompatible with the efficient education of others; or incompatible with the efficient use of resources).
Common pitfalls:
- The 15 February deadline is missed regularly.
- If it is missed, the parent's appeal right is at risk of being squeezed by the start of the next academic year, and you have a remedy: a section 19 Children and Families Act 2014 / regulation 20 SEND Regulations 2014 complaint, and ultimately judicial review.
- Parents who have not had a finalised plan by 15 February should immediately escalate to the LA's complaints officer and the Local Government Ombudsman.
For a Year 11 child moving to a specialist post-16 college, start the conversation in Year 10. Specialist college placements often need a year of LA negotiation to secure.
Related terms
The terms parents most often see alongside Phase Transfer Review.
Annual Review
The statutory yearly meeting where an EHCP is reviewed and updated. The LA must decide within four weeks whether to maintain, amend, or cease the plan.
Education, Health and Care Plan(EHCP)
A legally binding document, issued by a local authority in England, that describes a child or young person's special educational needs and the provision the LA must arrange to meet them.
Section I (EHCP)
The section of an EHCP naming the school or type of school the child will attend. Parents can request a specific school, and the LA must name it unless narrow legal grounds apply.
Where parents ask about this
Parents usually find this page in autumn of Year 6 or Year 11 when secondary or post-16 transition is suddenly real, or in early February when 15 February is looming and the LA has not finalised. Searches include "phase transfer 15 February deadline", "Year 6 EHCP secondary placement", and "post-16 specialist college EHCP". A Beaakon SENCO or advocate can prepare the parental contribution naming the receiving school, chase the LA's consultation deadline, and escalate if the 15 February deadline is at risk.
References
The primary legislation, statutory guidance, research, and clinical tools this page draws on.