How AI is Shaping the Future of SEND Services & The EHCP Process

At the LGPN South event, Guy Matthews and Darius Toomer showcased how EHCP Plus is revolutionizing SEND services by addressing the urgent challenges facing the sector:

• Rising EHCP Demand: Increasing caseloads are straining teams.

• Delays in Support: Children wait too long for critical interventions.

• Administrative Overload: Case workers are overwhelmed with paperwork, limiting direct support.

EHCP Plus leverages generative AI to deliver:

• Rapid Drafts: Create EHCP first drafts in minutes.

• Streamlined Admin: Free up case workers for meaningful engagement.

• High-Quality Plans: Ensure consistency and accuracy.

Guy and Darius emphasised that generative AI is more than a tool—it empowers professionals to improve outcomes for children and families.

👉 Learn more about EHCP Plus: https://ehcp.plus/

EDUCATION POLICY

Teacher Training Crucial for Effective SEND Inclusion in Schools

The Department for Education is urged to enhance initial teacher training (ITT) to better prepare teachers for supporting pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Current data reveals a significant gap, with only a small percentage of teachers feeling equipped to meet these needs. This highlights a pressing need for reform in ITT to include more comprehensive SEND training.

Education leaders stress the importance of foundational SEND knowledge in ITT, advocating for systematic evaluation and potential inclusion of SEND placements. The government's new frameworks aim to address these issues, but experts argue for a more integrated approach to ensure all teachers are prepared to support diverse learning needs effectively.

EDUCATION

SEND Crisis Exposes Vulnerable Children to Exploitation, Experts Warn

The crisis in special educational needs (Send) in England and Wales has left children vulnerable to criminal and sexual exploitation. Experts highlight the increased risk due to long waits for assessments and lack of education and health care plans, with 75% of 1.6 million Send children affected. School exclusions further isolate these children, making them targets for predators and gangs.

Research by Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Portsmouth reveals that up to 80% of practitioners' caseloads involve children with diagnosed Send. The study calls for updated government guidance on safeguarding disabled children and national training to prevent exploitation. The Department for Education acknowledges the issue, with urgent work underway to improve outcomes for Send children, emphasising the importance of wellbeing in schools.

EDUCATION

Curriculum Review: A Chance for Inclusive Education Reform

The Government's Curriculum and Assessment Review is a crucial opportunity to reform the education system for children aged 5-19 in England. It aims to address the strengths and weaknesses of the current curriculum and assessment system, focusing on inclusivity and accessibility. The review will particularly consider the needs of learners facing significant challenges, including those with SEND, ensuring a broad and fulfilling curriculum.

EDUCATION DOMAIN

Understanding Distressed Students: Alternatives to Immediate Alarm

Educators often feel compelled to raise alarms when encountering distressed students, especially those displaying aggression. Immediate solutions are rarely available, leading to heightened stress. Instead of panicking, small adjustments can significantly improve the situation. Identifying the root cause of a child's distress, rather than labelling it as challenging behaviour, is crucial for positive change.

Attending my first IGPP SEND Conference was truly inspiring—bringing together professionals from councils, schools, and education providers, all driven by a shared mission to improve outcomes for children and families.

Our focus was EHCP Plus, a Generative AI tool designed to save caseworkers time by drafting Education, Health, and Care Plans. This frees them to focus on what truly matters: supporting children and families. Engaging with attendees, alongside Margherita, Emma, and Henry from Outcomes Matter Consulting, sparked meaningful discussions about the tool’s potential and the importance of integrating AI thoughtfully.

My key takeaway? Listen first. Real solutions come from understanding the experiences of parents, caseworkers, and councils navigating these challenges daily. At Agilisys Transform, we’ve co-developed EHCP Plus with the real experts—those living and working with these systems.

Together, we can drive better outcomes. Learn more about EHCP Plus at ehcp.plus.

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

EDUCATION

SEND Crisis Exposes Vulnerable Children to Exploitation, Experts Warn

The crisis in special educational needs (Send) in England and Wales has left children vulnerable to criminal and sexual exploitation. Experts highlight the increased risk due to long waits for assessments and lack of education and health care plans, with 75% of 1.6 million Send children affected. School exclusions further isolate these children, making them targets for predators and gangs.

Research by Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Portsmouth reveals that up to 80% of practitioners' caseloads involve children with diagnosed Send. The study calls for updated government guidance on safeguarding disabled children and national training to prevent exploitation. The Department for Education acknowledges the issue, with urgent work underway to improve outcomes for Send children, emphasising the importance of wellbeing in schools.

EDUCATION

Curriculum Review: A Chance for Inclusive Education Reform

The Government's Curriculum and Assessment Review is a crucial opportunity to reform the education system for children aged 5-19 in England. It aims to address the strengths and weaknesses of the current curriculum and assessment system, focusing on inclusivity and accessibility. The review will particularly consider the needs of learners facing significant challenges, including those with SEND, ensuring a broad and fulfilling curriculum.

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