by Emma Livingstone
The Government’s recent proposal to remove Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) for children in non-specialist schools poses a serious threat to the future of disabled people in the UK – particularly those living with cerebral palsy.
At UP – The Adult Cerebral Palsy Movement, we are deeply concerned by this move. Cerebral palsy is a lifelong condition. EHCPs, which are valid up to the age of 25, are not just about education – they form the bridge into adulthood. For many, they are the only structured plan linking childhood support to adult care, education, and employment.
What’s at Risk?
Scrapping EHCPs could have devastating long-term consequences. It risks:
- Breaking the continuity between children’s and adult services
- Leaving young people without the tailored support they need to thrive
- Increasing isolation, poorer life outcomes, and greater costs to society in the long run
We work every day with adults who did not have the support they needed during their transitions to adulthood – and we see the long-term impact. Removing EHCPs will only increase these challenges for the next generation.
A Call to Action for the CP Community
We urge the Government to reconsider this proposal and engage with the communities it will affect most. Supporting disabled adults starts with supporting disabled children – early, properly, and consistently.
We are calling on our community to come together. Whether you’re an adult with cerebral palsy, a parent, a sibling, a professional or an ally – now is the time to raise your voice.
How You Can Help
- Write to your MP and express your concern
- Share your personal story about how an EHCP helped (or could have helped) shape your adult life
- Spread awareness by sharing this article on social media
- Tag us using #UPMovement
This is more than a policy change – it’s about the future of inclusion, independence, and equality.
We won’t stand by while that’s taken away.