“EHCP” means Education, Health & Care Plan. This is a legal document in England setting out what support a child or young person (0-25) with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) is entitled to.

Recent changes / proposals include:

• Growing concern that the EHCP system is unsustainable: the number of EHCPs has risen sharply. In January 2024 there were ~ 576,000 children with EHCPs, up ~140% since 2015. The Guardian+3Local Government Association+3ITVX+3
• At the same time, there are ~1.2 million children in schools identified as having SEN support needs below the EHCP threshold. Local Government Association
• The government is considering reforms that might narrow eligibility for EHCPs (so only those with higher / more complex need qualify) or change how legal rights are defined. SEND Network+3ITVX+3The Guardian+3
• Discussion of replacing or supplementing EHCPs in some areas with SEND units (within mainstream schools) as an alternative model. In such cases, the EHCP legal framework might not apply in the same way. AskEllie.co.uk+2SEND Network+2
• Increased pressure on funding, especially under the “high needs” block of school funding, and a drive to make mainstream provision more inclusive as a way of reducing the burden / cost of specialist support. GOV.UK+2SEND Network+2

So in short: EHCPs may become harder to obtain; some children currently getting EHCPs might be shifted to lower levels of support or alternate models; there’s also more emphasis on early identification, mainstream school support, and possibly changing or augmenting the legal rights in EHCPs.

Discover more about the changes to EHCPs below. If you’re looking for expert guidance on speech and language therapy within the process, reach out today – we are ready to help!

Integrated Treatment Services & how they can help

We offer a range of therapies and assessments (speech & language therapy, occupational therapy, psychological services etc). They can help both parents and schools in the context of these reforms:

• Filling in gaps: When public/LA provision or health services are stretched, we can provide specialist assessments or therapy more quickly.
• Supporting children without EHCPs: Many children whose needs are below the EHCP threshold struggle to access support. We can provide group interventions, training for staff, or targeted programmes even when there is no EHCP.
• Training & consultancy for schools: Helping school staff, SENCo, TAs and teachers understand strategies, use evidence-based approaches, adapt curriculum or class routines.
• Helping with evidence gathering: ITS professionals can produce reports, assessments or evaluations that strengthen applications for EHCPs or reviews of current EHCPs.
• Supporting implementation: Beyond assessment, helping schools/parents carry over the work, ensuring recommendations are possible practically in school and at home.

What to watch out for, potential risks / things to push back on

• Narrowing eligibility for EHCPs might leave children who need support but are not “high/complex enough” more vulnerable.
• Removing or weakening legal rights could make it harder to enforce promised support.
• Variation between regions (“postcode lottery”), some LAs might implement changes in different ways.
• Capacity issues: if mainstream schools are expected to do more but do not have funding, training, staffing, then support may be inconsistent.
• Delays in assessment or implementation remain a problem; these often cost children dearly.

Conclusion

These changes to EHCPs and SEND more broadly are likely to have significant impact. For parents, being informed, collecting evidence and being proactive is more important than ever.

For teachers, clear understanding, good communication and ensuring that what is agreed is delivered will become even more critical.