A local area SEND inspection in July 2023 identified widespread failings, including the fact many children and young people faced long waits for their needs to be assessed.
Other issues included poor communication with parents and “significant delays” in receiving the final plan with just 40% of plans issued within the statutory 20-week timescales, below the national average of 50%.
An independent review of Hertfordshire’s EHCP process also found 88% of appeals in 2022/23 were either conceded before they took place or lost by Hertfordshire County Council. This identified a “breakdown in trust” between the local authority and parents.
Hertfordshire has seen a 223% increase in children and young people with EHCPs since 2015. As of July this year, 12,552 children and young people in the county had an EHCP.
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