SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS

Supporting Inclusive Education with EHCP Plus

The government’s £740 million investment to create thousands of new specialist places in mainstream schools is a significant step towards more inclusive education. This initiative aims to ensure children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) can thrive in supportive environments alongside their peers. By integrating SEND provision into mainstream schools, the strategy reduces reliance on specialized institutions while promoting inclusivity.

However, funding alone is not enough. The increase in specialist places will likely lead to a rise in Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs), adding pressure to schools and councils already struggling to meet current demands. To address these challenges effectively, schools and local authorities need robust tools and systems to manage the growing workload and ensure timely support for SEND children.

How EHCP Plus can help:

• Save Time: Streamlines administration, saving over six hours per EHCP, freeing professionals to focus on supporting children.

• Ensure Quality Plans: Delivers consistent, legally compliant EHCPs tailored to each child’s unique needs.

• Reduce Backlogs: Speeds up processes, helping councils meet deadlines and provide timely support.

• Minimize Disputes: Enhances communication, fostering trust and reducing complaints and tribunals.

With tools like EHCP Plus, schools and councils can maximize the impact of this investment, ensuring every SEND child gets the support they need to thrive.

SPECIAL EDUCATION

SEND Crisis Demands Systemic Reform, Not Blame and Fragmentation

The SEND crisis in England is a complex issue rooted in systemic fragmentation, legislative contradictions, and chronic underfunding. The current structure pits local authorities, trusts, and schools against each other, leading to competition for limited resources rather than collaboration. Legislative frameworks grant extensive rights to children with SEND, yet society is neither willing nor able to fund these adequately, resulting in blame-shifting and under-resourced local authorities. This has led to a vicious cycle where only the most persistent parents can secure necessary support for their children.

To address these challenges, a systemic reframing is essential. Schools must embrace a new norm for inclusion, recognising that a significant percentage of students may require SEND support. Transitioning to whole-school support models can distribute responsibility and reduce staff burnout. Restoring trust between local authorities, schools, and multi-academy trusts requires transparency and shared accountability. Additionally, rethinking terminology to focus on aggregate need rather than individual diagnosis could foster collective responsibility. These measures are crucial for creating a more sustainable and inclusive SEND system.

SPECIAL EDUCATION

Special-School Leaders Challenge Kent Council Redesignation Plans in Court

Special-school leaders in Kent are challenging the council plan to redesignate schools, citing inadequate consultation and potential discrimination against SEND pupils. The Kent Special Educational Needs Trust argues the changes lack detail and evidence, risking negative impacts on outcomes and school preparedness. Legal action is being considered.

EDUCATION FINANCE

SEND System Reforms Urgently Needed to Prevent Council Financial Collapse

The Institute of Fiscal Studies warns that without reform, high-needs deficits could exceed £8 billion, risking council bankruptcies. The report highlights rising EHCP numbers, insufficient funding, and costly independent placements. Urgent reforms are needed, including expanding state-funded special schools and improving mainstream SEND provision, despite short-term costs.

SEND – A Waiting Game We Can’t Afford to Play

When it comes to SEND services, it sometimes feels like where you live determines how quickly your child gets the support they need. Some families are stuck waiting months—sometimes years—for an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP). Meanwhile, children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities fall further behind their peers, with the attainment gap growing year after year. It’s a heartbreaking situation for families, and it’s clear that the current system just isn’t cutting it.

But here’s the thing: it doesn’t have to be this way. Across the country, people are proving that we can do better. Tools and technologies are emerging that can help speed up the EHCP process and improve its precision. These aren’t just fancy gadgets—they’re the kinds of solutions that could give overworked case workers the time to focus on what really matters: children and families. Of course, tech alone isn’t enough. Case workers need the training and support to use these tools effectively, and that means investing in the people who hold the system together and we are aiming to activate a community of caseworkers and plan writers in the new year (watch this space.)

At the end of the day, it’s about moving from a system that feels stuck to one that actually works for the people it serves. SEND services should be about enabling every child to succeed, not leaving them stuck waiting for help. The path forward is clear—it’s time for government, councils, and communities to double down on solutions that work. Children can’t wait, and neither should we.

👉 Keep up with Agilisys Transform on their website or on LinkedIn.

EDUCATION CONCERNS

Ofsted Warns of Rising Concerns Over Non-Traditional Education Patterns in Schools

Ofsted latest report raises serious concerns about the increasing number of children opting out of traditional education models. The rise in part-time timetables and flexi-schooling, particularly post-pandemic, suggests a troubling trend of educational fragmentation. With an estimated 34,000 children on part-time schedules, the watchdog warns this could hinder educational progress, especially in disadvantaged areas. The report highlights the vicious cycle of school absence, where missing education leads to further disengagement, exacerbating the issue.

The report also scrutinises the SEND system, noting significant inconsistencies and resource strains. While mainstream schools should meet many SEND needs, the overuse of EHC plans stretches resources thin, leaving some families disappointed. Ofsted emphasises the need for early interventions and better coordination among education, social care, and health services. Additionally, the use of Alternative Provision (AP) to fill gaps in SEND support is problematic, with some APs operating unregulated, akin to illegal schools. The report calls for urgent attention to these issues to ensure a robust and equitable education system.

DIGITISATION

Is Legacy Tech Holding Your Organisation Back, or Can It Work with Innovation?

Outdated systems are a persistent challenge for the public sector, slowing workflows, increasing costs, and diverting resources away from frontline services. Yet replacing these systems entirely isn’t always feasible due to high costs and complexity.

Legacy systems don’t have to be roadblocks. With the right approach, they can coexist with cutting-edge tools, helping organisations improve efficiency, reduce costs, and deliver better outcomes for citizens.

Read the full article to explore how innovation can transform public services without starting from scratch.

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