CSP timeline
How long does it take to get a Co-ordinated Support Plan (CSP)? Here’s a timeline that sets out each stage of applying for a CSP, including what happens if your request is not accepted.
Asking for a CSP
Applying for a Co-ordinated Support Plan (CSP) can sometimes feel overwhelming. This page sets out the key stages, timescales, and your rights along the way – so you know what to expect and when.
Day 1 – Requesting assessment for a CSP
Anyone with parental responsibility has the right to make a request for a child to be assessed for a CSP. Children aged 12 or older also have the right to request a CSP themselves.
You can do this by contacting the local authority responsible for the child’s education.
Requests should be made in writing – you could use our Draft Emails to help you.
You can find the contact details for your local authority here: Local authority contacts page.
✏️ Not sure where to start? Check out our Requesting a CSP draft email tool
Within 8 weeks
The local authority has 8 weeks to let you know if they have accepted your request to assess your child for a CSP. If you make the request during the summer holidays, they have 16 weeks.
If they accept the request
Within a further 16 weeks
The local authority should assess whether the child needs CSP, and if they agree, they need to produce the CSP within this time too.
In some circumstances, this can take up to 24 weeks, but the local authority must let you know and provide a date when it will be completed. This should only happen if:
- The local authority has to ask another agency for help, and they haven’t been able to respond.
- You have asked for a particular assessment of need that can’t take place (or the results won’t be known) in 16 weeks.
If, after assessing whether the child needs a CSP, the local authority decides that they don’t, you can appeal this decision. This must happen within 2 months and the appeal goes to the Additional Support Needs Tribunal.
If they don’t accept the request
Within 2 months of refusal
If your request for a child to be assessed for a CSP was refused, you can appeal this through the Additional Support Needs Tribunal. This is known as ‘making a reference’ to the Tribunal.
If you don’t get a reply within 8 weeks, this is called a ‘deemed refusal’. This means your request has not been accepted and you also have the right to appeal. You must appeal within 2 months.
🔗 For more information about what to do, read Enquire’s page: Additional Support Needs Tribunal
Now the CSP is being prepared, what happens next?
Once a CSP is underway, the next steps involve agreeing what goes into the plan and how it will be delivered.
🔗 To find out more about the next stages, read Enquire’s pages on Preparing a CSP and Delivering a CSP
More about CSPs
🔗 Check out our Navigate page that explains What is a CSP?
▶️ Hear from Mark on The pros and cons of CSPs
▶️ Watch our short Navigate video discussing What if you are unhappy with a CSP?