UK GovTech Live at LGA🎤

📍 LGA Conference 2025 – Day 1 Highlights

UK GovTech was on the ground in Liverpool as leaders from across local government tackled the most pressing issues shaping children’s services and early years strategy. Here are our Top 3 Picks from Day 1:

🧒 Meeting the Plan for Change for Children

Susie Owen (DfE), Alice Wiseman (Gateshead & Newcastle), and Dr. Matt Price (1001 Critical Days) discussed how to meet the national goal of 75% of children to be ready to learn by school age—emphasising family services, secure attachment, and tackling inequality from birth.

🌱 Thrive at Five x Stoke-on-Trent

A powerful example of early years investment in action, with a 51% drop in language delays and 5x more parent-baby groups—built on collaboration between local government and community.

🏛️ Transformation at Wyre Council

Rebecca Huddleston and Sarah Palmer shared learnings from Wyre’s two-year transformation journey and how it’s helping shape wider strategy across Lancashire.

Stay tuned for more from #LGA2025 in our next edition.

Tonight’s Event🥂

Final Call: Join Us Tonight at LGA

Just a few spots left for UK GovTech x Agilisys: Centring Citizens in GenAI Transformation — taking place tonight, 2 July, 6:15–7:30pm at Clockwise Liverpool (5 mins from the main venue).

If you're a Children’s or Adults’ Services leader exploring how GenAI can support frontline teams, join local gov peers and digital leaders for drinks, networking, and real-world insights.

👉 Reserve your place here

Quick Reads📖

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Government Funds Assistive Tech Trials for 4,000 Schools Supporting SEND Children

1.7 million funding will enable 4,000 UK schools to trial assistive technology, tailored to support children with special educational needs and disabilities, enhancing independence and reducing teacher workload.

EDUCATION CRISIS

SEND System Requires Urgent Reform Amid Record Demand for Support Services

The SEND system is overwhelmed, with over 400 daily requests for support, reflecting rising demand and unsustainable council deficits, projected to reach £6 billion. Comprehensive reform is urgently needed to ensure effective support within mainstream schools and alleviate financial pressures on local authorities.

SPECIAL EDUCATION CONCERNS

EHCPs Delays with Over 6,000 Children Facing Year-Long Waits for Support Plans

Over 6,000 young individuals now endure over a year's wait for Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs), highlighting the urgency for reforms in the collapsing SEND system, affected by increased demand and funding shortages. The backlog, with only 46% of plans issued within the 20-week legal timeframe, underscores the pressing need for governmental intervention to meet educational and support needs efficiently.

EDUCATION REFORM

All Teachers to Be SEND Teachers in Major Education Overhaul

The inclusion of special educational needs training for all teachers in England sparks concern over potential inadequacies in meeting students' individual needs. This reform aims to address financial pressures on the SEND system but may compromise existing specialised support. Stakeholders fear that mainstream staff won't handle the increasing demands, raising anxiety among educators and parents.