The Department for Education (DfE) has announced plans to investigate the significant rise in the number of children requiring special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support in England. This initiative responds to the Public Accounts Committee’s (PAC) concerns about the DfE’s limited data and lack of a comprehensive, costed reform plan. The DfE aims to develop a detailed reform strategy by the end of 2025, focusing on improving data collection and analysis of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) to better understand demand patterns and inform decision-making. BBC+8The Guardian+8The Guardian+8FE Week
The PAC’s report highlights that only half of EHCPs are issued within the statutory 20-week period, with some local authorities completing as few as 1% on time. Additionally, there has been a 140% increase in EHCPs from 2015 to January 2024, underscoring the urgency for systemic reform. Twinkl+1Hucknall Dispatch+1
The DfE has committed to collaborating with local authorities to address these challenges and ensure the delivery of high-quality, financially sustainable services for children and young people with SEND. Further details on managing council deficits related to SEND provision are expected this summer.
Source: Schoolsweek
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