UPCOMING EVENT

🚀 Join Us for Exclusive Insights on EHCP Plus! 🚀

Agilisys Transform are excited to co-host a webinar with Outcomes Matter Consulting to share key reflections from the Winter Cohort of EHCP Plus!​

Hear below from Margherita Sica (EHCP Plus Product Manager) and Sarah Warren (In-House EHCP Expert) on what they have learnt through the journey of creating EHCP Plus and what to expect at the webinar! ​

🎧 Hear from Margherita and Sarah here: https://youtu.be/uyyVPzjZd-c

📅 Save your spot here: https://lnkd.in/eUtraf8v​ 

This is a must-attend for SEND professionals looking to cut admin time, improve EHCP quality, and drive better outcomes for children and families. See you there!

💬 EDITOR’S INSIGHT

From Policy to Practice: Rethinking Innovation in SEND Education

SEND provision is at a crossroads. While national funding pledges offer hope, the real test lies in how well these reforms translate into daily impact. For SEND professionals, bridging that gap between policy ambition and classroom reality is the next frontier.
Recent investment announcements—such as Oxfordshire’s doubling of SEND funding—signal a welcome shift. But funding alone isn’t the solution. True progress comes when schools have the tools and autonomy to adapt innovation to context. Technology is proving a vital ally—but only when used with purpose.

At New Bridge Multi Academy Trust, for example, 3D printing isn’t a tech gimmick; it’s a tool for personalised independence. That distinction matters.

The government’s “Plan for Change” places digital standards at the centre of SEND strategy, but implementation remains uneven. SEND leaders must lead this change—by informing procurement, shaping policy through lived experience, and investing in meaningful CPD. Innovation in SEND must be more than scalable—it must be human.

LOCAL COUNCIL FINANCE

Councils Warn Of Bankruptcy Without Action On SEND Deficits By March 2026

Councils across England face a potential financial disaster within a year, primarily due to vast deficits in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) funding, which could risk their bankruptcy. The County Councils Network underscores the imminent danger if the government fails to address these £6 billion debts, currently managed through an accountancy override that expires in March 2026. Without this statutory measure, 18 councils could become insolvent immediately, with more following suit, driven by a soaring demand for Education, Health and Care Plans and costly specialist placements.

To avoid widespread insolvency, urgent governmental action is required. This includes providing clarity on handling these deficits and reforming the ineffective SEND system, which currently strains financial resources owing to unchecked demand. With critical reforms and a strategic national solution necessary, the pressing need for clarity on the government's fiscal intentions becomes paramount as the March 2026 deadline looms.

EHCPs

Significant Rise in Tameside Children with EHCPs Demands Urgent Action

Tameside faces a pressing challenge as the number of children with Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) has soared 148-fold over the past 11 years, resulting in double the national average. The rapid increase in EHCPs indicates a gap in the borough’s Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) support, particularly straining specialist resources. There are significant gaps in speech, language, communication, autism spectrum disorder, and other areas, necessitating urgent facility expansion.

With Tameside having 500 more EHCPs yet 580 fewer specialist places than nearby areas, the forecasted costs and high-needs pupil numbers could make current practices unsustainable. The proposed SEND Sufficiency Strategy aims to create 143 places by 2034, which is essential to accommodate projected demands. Without timely action and local investment, the overreliance on out-of-area provision will continue exacerbating budgetary constraints, risking both educational delivery and financial viability.

EHCP PLUS TOOL

🚨 Breaking News: EHCP Plus is Already Improving Outcomes for Councils - And for the Families They Support 🚨

Agilisys Transform are proud to share the impact of the Agilisys EHCP tool that powers EHCP Plus in real numbers and real words. ​

This is more than a game-changing technology – it is a transformative moment in how councils are equipping their teams to better support children with SEND.​

Key Benefits council teams have seen:​

• 110 working days handed back to frontline teams​

• £20,000 saved through faster drafting and less reliance on agency staff

• Thousands of pieces of advice processed to help professionals focus on what matters.​

“EHCP Plus is saving me hours on every plan. I can finally spend more time with families.” – SEND Caseworker, Pilot Council​

“It doesn’t replace me – it empowers me.” – SEND Lead, Early Adopter Council​

Want to learn how we can support your council – get in touch! ​

Escalating Costs of Independent Special Schools Strain Local Authorities and Taxpayers, but EHCP Plus Could Help

The rising costs of independent special schools, driven by private equity firms and increased demand for Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs), are placing significant strain on local authorities and taxpayers. With some private providers charging up to £200,000 per child per year, local councils are increasingly relying on expensive private placements due to a shortage of state-run special schools. Agilisys's EHCP Plus AI tool offers a solution by streamlining the EHCP process, saving time for caseworkers and potentially reducing costs. By adopting this AI technology, local authorities could improve efficiency, reduce reliance on costly private placements, and reinvest savings into expanding state-run special school capacity, ensuring better support for SEND students.

Press here to learn more

EDUCATION STRATEGY

Lambeth Council Launches SEND Strategy for Improved Youth Support

Lambeth Council has unveiled its SEND and Alternative Provision Strategy, aiming to ensure young people with special educational needs and disabilities receive optimal outcomes in education, health, and social care. Running from 2025 to 2030, the strategy was developed with direct input from young people to address their needs comprehensively. The council emphasises early intervention, seamless collaboration with schools and health services, and enhancing mainstream inclusivity, despite financial constraints.

The strategy outlines seven priorities, including inclusive provision and effective partnerships, reflecting a commitment to no child being left behind. Key initiatives feature workforce development and amplifying youth and family voices. The strategy has been designed to address the lack of systemic funding, aiming for Lambeth to become a leader in SEND education. The council's steadfast dedication underscores the urgency for reform and improvement in provision and support for SEND, aligning with the government's commitment to change.

SPECIAL EDUCATION REFORM

Centralisation Isn't the Solution for Special Educational Needs Challenges

Centralisation is not the panacea for addressing the challenges in the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) sector. The desire for a central authority similar to NICE in the education sector is met with limitations as the tools of medical research don't translate well into educational contexts. A more effective approach involves supporting localised, flexible research projects that consider specific school or community contexts, thereby creating a diverse and relevant evidence base for educators.

There is a pressing need to reallocate resources strategically within schools to build inclusive environments while managing the expectations of parents advocating for bespoke provisions for their children. Addressing the direct connection between educational barriers and socio-economic factors is crucial; resources should align with those most in need. In doing so, collaboration and local innovation, rather than centralised control, can provide sustainable solutions to the current inadequacies and prevent a potential system collapse.

PUBLIC SERVICE CONCERNS

Labour's SEND Reforms Threaten Vital Support for Disabled Children

Despite promises of improved support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the UK Labour government appears to be retreating from its commitments. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson suggests a re-evaluation of parental expectations while service cuts loom. Inclusion advisor Tom Rees advocates for retiring the SEND label, arguing for less medicalisation, yet grapples with managing the expansive needs sustainably. Such remarks reflect a troubling trend, as funding struggles persist, and outcomes for SEND students lag behind. The National Audit Office has previously deemed the system financially unsustainable, with escalating demand and insufficient resources, pointing to deeper systemic issues needing urgent resolution.

EDUCATION CRISIS

Special Needs Funding Crisis Threatens Somerset's Vulnerable Children and Families

The crisis in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) funding in Somerset is reaching a critical point, with councils nearing financial collapse. Sarah Dyke, the Liberal Democrat MP for Glastonbury and Somerton, has voiced deep concerns, emphasising the grave implications for the most vulnerable students. At the f40 Conference in Westminster, she highlighted the severe underfunding, revealing that Somerset receives over £4,000 less per pupil compared to the best-funded areas. With a 60% increase in state-funded school placements over recent years, Somerset Council faces a mounting deficit of £290 million in its SEND budget within the next five years.

Despite the government's £1 billion funding pledge, Dyke insists that a more substantial investment is essential, estimating a need for at least £2.3 billion just to sustain existing services. She has repeatedly urged for a reform of the funding model, arguing for a national body to allocate resources more equitably, particularly to underfunded rural areas. The current funding failures risk bankrupting councils and, critically, deny vulnerable children the education they are entitled to, with far-reaching impacts on their futures.

YOUR FEEDBACK MATTERS🗳️