Our Response to the SEND Funding Boost: A Step the Right Way

Our Response to the SEND Funding Boost: A Step the Right Way

1 November 2024|AI Adoption, Emerging Technology, SEND, Workforce

TL;DR:  The Chancellor’s Autumn Budget 2024 delivers a £1bn boost for SEND services, helping councils improve support for children outside mainstream schools. Despite a large funding gap in local authorities, this funding is a step toward reform. EHCP Plus—an AI tool automating EHCP drafting—saves caseworkers 6 hours per plan, translating to over 50,000 days nationally.

The Chancellor's Autumn Budget 2024 has brought welcome news for the SEND sector with a £1bn funding boost. This investment acknowledges the "broken" state of the NHS and the increasing demand for SEND services.  The funding, released to councils by the Department for Education, aims to improve SEND services and alternative provision (AP) for children outside mainstream schools.

This funding boost is a crucial step towards realising the government's ambition to reform the SEND system. However, as highlighted by the Society of County Treasurers, the funding gap in local authorities remains a significant challenge and is much larger. Despite this, the government has pledged to work towards reducing child poverty and improving opportunities for all children and young people.

EHCP Plus, our cutting-edge AI tool developed to streamline the EHCP process, is well-positioned to support local authorities in maximising the impact of both current, and future funding. By automating the initial drafting of EHCPs, EHCP Plus saves case workers an average of 6 hours per plan, allowing them to dedicate more time to supporting children and families. This translates to more personalised support, stronger relationships, and improved outcomes for children with SEND.

This significant time saving, estimated to be over 50,000 days nationally, could be redirected towards addressing the backlog of EHCP requests and ensuring timely support for children in need. EHCP Plus also promotes consistency and quality in EHCPs, reducing inconsistencies and improving the articulation of children's needs. This, in turn, supports local authorities in meeting statutory deadlines and potentially reducing complaints and tribunals.

The combination of increased funding and innovative solutions like EHCP Plus offers a promising outlook for the future of SEND provision. It empowers local authorities to tackle the challenges head-on and create a system where every child with SEND receives the timely and effective support they deserve.

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