How AI is Shaping the Future of SEND Services and the EHCP Process

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    Blog
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    26th November 2024
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    3 min read

This week at the Local Government Partnership Network (LGPN) South, our colleagues Guy Matthews and Darius Toomer took the stage to present how EHCP Plus is transforming SEND services and delivering real change for councils across the UK. Their presentation highlighted the urgent need for innovation in SEND support and showcased how generative AI is empowering case workers, saving time, and improving outcomes for children and families.

For those who could not attend, here’s a deep dive into what was shared.

The SEND System: A Sector Under Pressure

The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system in the UK is at a critical juncture. Case workers, councils, and families are struggling under immense pressures:

  • Increasing demand: The number of children requiring EHCPs is rising, placing a heavy burden on already stretched teams.
  • Delays in support: Children are often waiting too long to receive the help they need, which can significantly affect their long-term outcomes.
  • Administrative overload: SEND case workers spend a significant amount of time on paperwork, reducing their capacity to focus on direct support for children and families.

These challenges underline the urgent need for new approaches. Innovation is not a luxury – it is essential for the public sector to deliver better citizen outcomes.

How EHCP Plus Addresses These Challenges

EHCP Plus is a generative AI-powered tool designed to tackle these pressing issues. Here’s how:

1. Rapid First Drafts:
One of the most time-consuming parts of the EHCP process is drafting the plan. EHCP Plus produces a first draft in minutes, extracting information from collated documents and presenting it in a clear, comprehensive format. This efficiency means case workers can focus on tailoring plans, rather than starting from scratch.

2. Reduced Administrative Burden:
By automating repetitive tasks, EHCP Plus allows case workers to dedicate more time to the children and families they support, rather than being bogged down by administrative tasks.

3. Consistency and Accuracy:
Our tool ensures that every EHCP draft meets a high standard of quality and consistency, reducing errors and enhancing the overall support provided to children.

4. Support Through Change:
We understand that SEND teams are navigating significant changes and are already at capacity. Our approach is designed to minimise disruption, providing training and support to help teams build trust in generative AI.

The Benefits of EHCP Plus

During the presentation, we outlined the broader benefits of our solution:

  • Improved Outcomes for Children: Faster, more accurate EHCPs mean children receive the support they need sooner, positively impacting their education, health, and overall well-being.
  • Empowered SEND Teams: With less time spent on administrative tasks, case workers can focus on their core mission—supporting children and families.

A Journey of Innovation and Trust

We are committed to walking alongside councils and case workers on this journey of innovation. Building trust in generative AI is a key part of our approach. By co-designing EHCP Plus with councils and SEND professionals, we ensure that our solution reflects their real needs and values.

As Guy and Darius highlighted during their talk, generative AI is not just a tool; it’s a way to empower professionals and improve outcomes for the most vulnerable in our communities.

If you’d like to learn more about how EHCP Plus can help your council, visit https://ehcp.plus/.