IDP vs IHP in Wales
A Clear Guide for Parents on the Difference Between Education Plans and Health Plans
Many parents in Wales read advice online that is written for families in England. This causes understandable confusion because the English EHCP system is very different from the Welsh Additional Learning Needs system.
One of the most common misunderstandings is the difference between an Individual Development Plan (IDP) and an Individual Healthcare Plan (IHP).
These two documents serve very different purposes, follow different laws and offer different protections. Here is a simple clear guide explaining what each one does and when your child might need one or both.
1. What is an IDP in Wales
The Individual Development Plan (IDP) is the legal education plan for children and young people with Additional Learning Needs under the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal Wales Act 2018.
✔ It is a legally binding document
✔ It can be enforced at the Education Tribunal
✔ It replaces Statements of SEN and IEPs in Wales
An IDP must:
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Identify a child’s additional learning needs
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Describe the barriers they face
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Detail the support required to overcome those barriers
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Specify who delivers each part of the provision
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Explain how often and in what way the support must be delivered
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Include measurable outcomes
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Be reviewed at least annually
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Be maintained by the school or the local authority
The IDP is about learning, access and educational progress.
It is similar to an EHCP in England, but it is not the same and parents should NEVER rely on English EHCP guidance when understanding IDPs.
For more information about what should be included in an IDP, please see our previous article here https://learnwithoutlimitscic.blogspot.com/2025/11/idp-series-what-must-be-included-in-idp.html
2. What is an IHP in Wales
The Individual Healthcare Plan (IHP) is the document used to support a child’s medical needs in school.
It follows the Welsh Government guidance Supporting Learners with Healthcare Needs.
✔ It is a health and safety document
✔ It is not legally enforceable at tribunal
✔ It is created with input from health professionals
A good IHP should include:
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The child’s medical condition
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Symptoms warning signs and triggers
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What to do if the child becomes unwell
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Medication names doses timings and storage
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Who is trained to administer medication
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Emergency procedures
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Hydration and nutrition needs
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Rest break or sensory regulation needs
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When the child is considered too unwell to be in school
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Communication methods between school and home
The IHP is about health care and safety, not education.
3. The Key Difference Summarised
| IDP | IHP |
|---|---|
| Education document | Health document |
| Covers learning barriers | Covers medical needs |
| Legally enforceable | Not legally enforceable |
| Appeal rights to Tribunal | No appeal route |
| Specifies educational provision | Specifies care procedures |
| Must be written by school or LA | Written with health professionals |
| Based on the ALN Act | Based on healthcare guidance |
The IDP is the plan that ensures a child can learn.
The IHP is the plan that ensures a child can stay safe.
4. When a Child Needs an IDP
A child needs an IDP when they have an additional learning need, meaning:
-
they have a learning difficulty or disability
-
the difficulty impacts their ability to learn
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they need special educational provision to access education
-
reasonable adjustments alone are not enough
This can include:
-
long term medical conditions that affect learning or attendance
If health needs impact learning, then the IDP and IHP should work together.
5. When a Child Needs an IHP
A child needs an IHP when:
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they have a chronic health condition
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they need medication in school
-
they require emergency procedures
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they need staff to be trained in health care tasks
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they need hydration rest or nutrition adjustments
-
their condition fluctuates and needs monitoring
-
their wellbeing or safety would be at risk without a plan
Examples include:
The IHP alone does not replace the IDP when health needs affect learning.
6. The Most Common Misunderstanding in Wales
Parents are often told:
“Your child does not need an IDP because they have a medical plan.”
This is not correct.
If a child’s medical condition causes:
-
fatigue
-
pain
-
behaviour changes
-
sensory overwhelm
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slow recovery after illness
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disrupted attendance
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difficulty accessing the curriculum
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emotional distress
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anxiety about health
…then the child may have additional learning needs and may require an IDP as well as an IHP.
7. How the Two Plans Work Together
Think of it like this:
The IDP supports the child’s learning.
The IHP supports the child’s health.
They are separate but must inform one another.
If a child has a medical condition, the IHP explains what the condition is and what support is needed.
If that condition impacts learning or attendance, the IDP explains what educational support is required.
Most children with both ALN and medical needs require both plans together.
For more information about how exactly health information feeds into the IDP please read our previous article here https://learnwithoutlimitscic.blogspot.com/2025/11/idp-series-health-social-care.html
If your child has a private diagnosis, we've explained how that feeds into the IDP process, Private Diagnoses and IDP
8. For Families Who Have Read English EHCP Advice
English EHCPs combine:
-
education
-
health
-
social care
into a single legal document.
Wales does not.
In Wales:
-
The IDP is the legal document
-
The IHP is the supporting medical guidance
-
Health support must be coordinated but is not legally binding in the same way
This is why England based advice does not map to the Welsh system.
9. When to Request an IDP Review or a New IDP
Consider requesting an IDP review if:
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health needs begin to affect attendance
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your child needs adjustments in lessons
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your child is too fatigued to manage a full day
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behaviour worsens after illness
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anxiety around health becomes a barrier to learning
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the school is relying only on the IHP and not updating the IDP
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a slow recovery after flu or a viral illness is affecting learning
Requesting a review is your right under the ALN Act.
10. Disclaimer and Safety Note
Learn Without Limits CIC provides general information on ALN rights and Welsh education policy.
We do not provide clinical medical or legal advice.
If your child is unwell seek professional medical assessment.
For medical concerns:
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NHS Wales 111 offers non emergency advice
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Your GP can assess ongoing or worsening symptoms
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999 should be called immediately if a child has difficulty breathing severe drowsiness seizure chest pain a rash that does not fade dehydration symptoms or any worrying sign of serious illness
Parents should always use common sense when deciding which service to contact.
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