Care plan delays create inconsistent SEND outcomes

Delays in assessing children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) have created "inconsistent" outcomes among young people, a report has found.

Inspectors for Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission deemed the timeliness of education, health and care plans (EHCP) issued by Essex County Council to be "poor".

The local authority has been fighting to improve its service since admitting it was the worst in England for completing EHCP assessments within the legal timeframe.

Incoming leader Peter Harris, of Reform UK, said he was committed to making improvements.

In March 2024, the council revealed that 1% of children were receiving an EHCP within the legal limit of 20 weeks.

However, in March this year, the council said this rate had risen to about 20%.

The council works with NHS integrated care boards in Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire to deliver its SEND provision.

Inspectors, who visited over five days in January, said the partnership's arrangements led to "inconsistent experiences and outcomes" for children.

"Some children and young people wait too long to receive appropriate provision and support from some services," they wrote in their report, published online.

"Many families are dissatisfied because of these delays."

The Conservative administration that ran the council until May previously told the BBC that its EHCP backlog had been "largely due to a shortage" of educational psychologists.

It pledged a new £2.6m investment into SEND services in March.

The council was praised for its "well-attended" roadshow events held across the county, allowing children and young people with SEND to "meet a wide range of professionals".

Ofsted also said that those who had been given an EHCP generally went on to "achieve well academically".

However, the inspectors found the "frequency and quality" of the council's communication meant families did not always know what support was available.

Reacting to the report, Harris said: "We want the Essex SEND system to provide all children, young people and their families with consistent and effective support.

"The report is an important document for us to understand how Essex is performing, and where we should focus our attention to make improvements."

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