The Department described how parental confidence provided a core indicator of an effective SEN system but that, with a third of parents having children with SEN in the state system feeling their child did not get necessary support, the system was “nowhere near good enough”.16 Families lack confidence in a system where it does not meet expectations. The proportion of EHC plans issued within the statutory 20-week target was 50% in 2023, down from around 60% in the period 2018 to 2021.17 The Dep...

The Department described how parental confidence provided a core indicator of an effective SEN system but that, with a third of parents having children with SEN in the state system feeling their child did not get necessary support, the system was “nowhere near good enough”.16 Families lack confidence in a system where it does not meet expectations. The proportion of EHC plans issued within the statutory 20-week target was 50% in 2023, down from around 60% in the period 2018 to 2021.17 The Department attributed lengthening waiting times to increasing demand for EHC plans, which it described as “rational” given that less support is available fo Type: conclusion | Number: 9 | Response status: not_addressed Government response: 1.9 Most Education, Health and Care plans (EHC plans) and assessments are concluded without the need for a Tribunal appeal. However, the department recognises that some families struggle to get the right support they need, when they need it. 1.10 Issues causing Tr