In the Headlines🔍

500 EHCPs A Month? The AI Assistant Making Waves In SEND Services​

SEND teams across the UK are quietly embracing AI - and it is working.​ Over the past few months, something remarkable has been happening behind the scenes of EHCP drafting in local government.​

SEND teams - already under pressure from rising demand, complex caseloads, and tight timelines - have begun to adopt Generative AI tools that help them deliver plans faster and with greater consistency. One such tool, developed by the UK based public sector technology company Agilisys, has now been used to draft more than 1,500 EHCPs in just three months.​

It is not replacing professional judgment - far from it. Instead, caseworkers say it is helping them complete the paperwork that once took hours, now in a matter of minutes.​

If you are a SEND team, struggling with the rising number of EHCPs – learn more here about how to get involved.

Quick Reads📖

SEND EDUCATION REVIEW

Devon SEND Review Suggests More Holistic Approach To Support Schoolchildren

Devon's SEND review ought to adopt a more holistic approach, integrating inclusive practices like those at Pilton Community College and the Deaf Academy, to foster an environment where all children can thrive. Embracing methods such as trauma-informed education and adaptive classrooms could diminish the burden of performance, facilitating joyful, holistic development for schoolchildren. Immediate attention is needed to shift focus from results to comprehensive well-being in education, marking potential improvement in children's futures.

EARLY EDUCATION CONCERNS

Education Minister Praises SEND Nurseries' Impact in Basingstoke Visit

Education Minister Stephen Morgan visited KIDS Nursery in Basingstoke, highlighting its successes and challenges in supporting children with SEND. Despite the nursery's achievements, the visit underscored systemic issues like delays in securing EHCPs, high costs, and limited specialist service provision, urging the need for improvements to truly support SEND families.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCES

Urgent Solutions Needed for Growing SEND Deficits in Local Authorities

Funding deficits for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities are escalating, posing significant risks to local authority finances. A comprehensive governmental response, expected in an upcoming white paper, is urgently needed to address these financial challenges. Addressing these deficits is crucial for ensuring financial sustainability and the quality of services.

EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES

450,000 Transformation of Salford Children's Centre for SEND Support and Facilities Upgrade

A £450,000 investment by Salford City Council is transforming a former children's centre to create a specialised hub for children with SEND in Salford, addressing the growing need for improved facilities and expanded school places.

This Week Around The UK 🌎

SPECIAL NEEDS EDUCATION

Somerset Schools to Open Six New Special Needs Units in September

SPECIAL EDUCATION EXPANSION

New Special School For SEND Pupils Set To Open In York

Inspire Academy will open in York this autumn, offering education for 40 SEND pupils aged 11-16. The school promises an ambitious, inclusive curriculum aimed at GCSE readiness. Places cost £20,000, funded by the state.

EDUCATION PROVISION

Two Wiltshire Schools Set to Launch New SEND Resource Bases