- EHCP
- Posts
- Your Weekly EHCP Newsletter | Volume 12
Your Weekly EHCP Newsletter | Volume 12
Plus: Exclusive Insights on EHCP Plus⭐
EHCP
✨Welcome to the EHCP Community Newsletter✨
We’re thrilled to have you as part of this exclusive community of professionals dedicated to transforming the EHCP process. As champions of innovation in SEND services, you’re at the forefront of shaping how AI can support better outcomes for children, families, and caseworkers alike.
In our weekly newsletter you will find curated articles, thought pieces, success stories, and expert insights to help you understand how new types of technology and training can SEND services.
To ensure you never miss an edition, please add [email protected] to your contact list.
UPCOMING EVENT
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!
EHCPs
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.
LOCAL COUNCIL FINANCE
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.
EHCP PLUS TOOL
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!
EDUCATION STRATEGY
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.

Hi all, I’m Sarah - a former SEND Caseworker and now a SEND Advisor with Agilisys Transform helping create the next generation of AI tools for improving SEND provision. I was not always involved in SEND, as previously I was an editor of children’s educational books. I developed a passion for children’s learning and development so later re-trained and became a teacher in a special school. Following this, I worked as a SEND Caseworker/EHC Plan Writer for around 12 years. As a teacher and caseworker, my main focus has always been in improving outcomes for children with SEND and their families.
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
PUBLIC SERVICE CONCERNS
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.
YOUR FEEDBACK MATTERS 🗳️
What did you think of today's edition? |