3
(a)  at the end of sub-paragraph (c) omit “or”; and 
(b)  at the end of sub-paragraph (d) insert— 
“; or 
(e) of a reason relating to the incidence or transm ission of coronavirus”. 
10.  In regulation 13(3) (timescales for EHC plans), for “(d)” substitute “(e)”. 
11.  After regulation 18 (circumstances in which a loca l authority must review an EHC plan) 
insert— 
“ Circumstances in which it is not necessary to review an EHC plan 
18A. —(1) It is not necessary for a local authority to r eview an EHC plan in accordance 
with section 44(1) of the Act if it is impractical to do so because of a reason relating to the 
incidence or transmission of coronavirus. 
(2) Where paragraph (1) applies, a local authority must instead conduct such reviews as 
soon as reasonably practicable.”. 
12.  In regulation 22 (amending an EHC plan following a review), after paragraph (5) insert— 
“(6) The local authority need not comply with the t ime limit referred to in paragraphs (3) 
and (4) if it is impractical to do so because of a reason relating to the incidence or 
transmission of coronavirus.”. 
13.  In regulation 27(3) (amending or replacing an EHC plan following a re-assessment)— 
(a)  at the end of sub-paragraph (c) omit “or”; and 
(b)  at the end of sub-paragraph (d) insert— 
“; or 
(e) of a reason relating to the incidence or transm ission of coronavirus”. 
14.  In regulation 45 (unopposed appeals), after paragraph (7) insert— 
“(8) The local authority need not comply with the t ime limits specified in paragraph (3A) 
if it is impractical to do so because the circumsta nces referred to in regulation 10(4)(e) 
apply.”. 
Amendment of the Special Educational Needs (Personal Budgets) Regulations 2014 
15.  The Special Educational Needs (Personal Budgets) R egulations 2014( a) are amended as 
follows. 
16.  In regulation 2 (interpretation), at the appropriate place insert— 
““coronavirus” means severe acute respiratory syndr ome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2); 
”. 
17.  After regulation 2 (interpretation) insert— 
“ Relaxation of time period due to coronavirus exception 
2A. —(1) Where the coronavirus exception applies, the r equirement for the local authority 
to review the making and use of direct payments within the first three months of them being 
made in regulation 11(2)(a) (monitoring and review of direct payments) is to be read 
instead as a requirement for such action to be taken as soon as reasonably practicable. 
                                                                                                                                            
(a) S.I. 2014/1652, to which there are amendments not  relevant to these Regulations.