Leo Jones 29 July 2021

Unravelling the knot of education, health and care plans

Unravelling the knot of education, health and care plans image

Barely a week goes by without another headline about the increase in demand for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and the extraordinary pressure this is putting on local high needs systems. Use of the term ‘high needs’ covers children with special educational needs and disabilities or SEND, children in alternative educational provision, and children who have been excluded from school.

Some councils are facing cumulative deficits of over £80m as a result. Perhaps what is more extraordinary is that despite the ever-increasing levels of demand and cost, many parents of children with SEND describe a constant battle to get the support they need, and are often deeply dissatisfied with the responses they receive across the high needs system.

The 2014 SEND reforms are often cited as being behind the rise in demand and cost, as they changed the upper age limit for ECHPs from 18 to 25. Overnight, this increased the number of young people who could be subject to an EHCP, but without providing any additional funding.

But while the reforms clearly had a significant impact on EHCP numbers, they don’t tell the whole story. There are deeper challenges that need to be recognised and addressed if the (now delayed) SEND review is going to realistically address this Gordian Knot of public policy.

Visit The MJ to read this feature in full for free.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Systems Support Coordinator - Children's Services

Essex County Council
£25081.00 - £27653.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Systems Support Coordinator - Children's ServicesPermanent, Full Time£25,081 to £27,653 Per AnnumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

SEND Inclusion Partner

Essex County Council
£45276.0000 - £50307.0000 per annum
SEND Inclusion PartnerPermanent, Full Time£45,276 to £50,307 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Principal Transport Planner (Strategy)

North Northamptonshire Council
£46,731-£49,764
We are looking for an experienced professional to join North Northamptonshire Council as a Principal Transport Planner (Strategy). Sheerness House, 41 Meadow Road, Kettering moving to Haylock House, Kettering Parkway, Kettering NN15 6EY, United Kingdom
Recuriter: North Northamptonshire Council

Attendance and Admissions Officer

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 6, point 6 to point 11 £22,435.63 – £24,294.06 (pay award pending (Actual)
The Rose Learning Trust is a successful medium sized trust based in Doncaster and North Lincolnshire. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council

Senior Carer and Support - Nights (Obelisk)

West Northamptonshire Council
£13.61ph
Obelisk House provides exceptional levels of support in residential and Dementia care. It is situated in a residential suburb in Northampton and it offers a wonderful living environment in which our residents can enjoy an enhanced quality of life. We ha Northampton
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council
Linkedin Banner