In September 2020, the Department for Education (DfE) launched a major review of SEND provision, to evaluate the landscape since the 2015 reforms. The new review will examine the rise in Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP), and how to ensure statutory duties are met with tailored plans.

Since April 1st 2018, all local authorities in England have been required to ensure any child who may previously had a statement of SEN, or who meet the same criteria since then, has an EHCP developed for them according to their needs.

While it is the responsibility of a local authority to initially draft a plan, following a needs-based assessment of a child (at the request of parents, teachers, health professionals, or the young person themselves if aged between 16 and 25), they must incorporate health and social care provisions, and liaise closely with a child and young person’s educational setting to ensure effective implementation.

While the SEND Code of Practice clearly lays out what an EHCP should include, and the Department for Education (DfE) issuing a statutory deadline of 20 weeks to get these plans in place, many local authorities are failing to meet these legal requirements. Data released by the DfE in July 2019 showed that almost 3,500 children were ‘awaiting the provision specified on their EHC Plan’. This means that while professionals have identified what they needed, those needs are not being met.

The Covid-19 crisis further impacted on the inability of children and young people to receive the support and guidance needed, according to their specialist EHCPs. However, in adapting to this period, as courts conducted more tribunals online, potential emerged for virtual hearings to become a new effective way of speeding up EHCP assessments.

This online training will deliver expert advice and guidance for all stakeholders involved in the success of an EHCP including local authorities, health professionals and education providers.

With the help of experienced SEND professionals, attendees will learn how to improve their approach to developing and implementing EHCPs, ensuring statutory requirements are met, and every child is provided with high quality SEND provision in a timely manner.

Learning objectives include:
• Understand how to meet statutory obligations for children with SEND, and adapting provisions in light of Covid-19
• Develop a plan to improve the approach to creating and implementing an EHCP
• Learn how to better work with key delivery stakeholders, including education providers, health and social care agencies, local authorities and parents/carers
• Analyse approaches to ensuring every EHCP is focused around the child
• Establish how to make best use of funding available to respective agencies, and how to utilise personal budgets in a way that is most effective for children and parents/carers.

Key speakers include:
• Talat Khan, Consultant at AdvantageSEND, Head of Learning Support at Hampton Court House
• Lydia Dunford, Solicitor, Boyes Turner LLP
• Lainy Russell, Director, Flourish Leaders
• Marius Frank.

Don't forget to quote 'IGEdCentral20' when booking to claim your exclusive 20% discount!

There are three ways to register: call: 0203 770 6580; email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; or click the link below to visit the event website.