Freedom of information response

EHCP's

Publication date: 
Thursday 22 February 2024
Request: 

1.      The number of new EHCPs issued by the council so far in 2023/24
2.      The percentage of new EHCPs issued by the council so far in 2023/24 that were issued within the statutory timeframe, excluding exception cases
3.      The percentage of new EHCPs issued by the council so far in 2023/24 that were issued within the statutory timeframe, including exception cases
4.      The number of new EHCPs the council is currently due to issue that have been waiting longer than the statutory timeframe, excluding exception cases
5.      The number of new EHCPs that are designated exception cases, which the council is currently due to issue that have been waiting for longer than the statutory timeframe
In questions 4 and 5, “currently due to issue” mean EHCPs that the council is required to issue as they relate to a child who has been deemed to need an EHCP following an EHC needs assessment. It is not restricted to EHCPs that are ‘ready’ to be issued or are to be issued imminently. 
6.      Any target, benchmark or key performance indicator the council has for the percentage of EHCPs awarded within the statutory timeframe in 2023/24, and performance against this to date. Please state whether this includes or excludes exception cases.
7.      The percentage of requests for an EHC needs assessment that were rejected by the council in 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23 respectively (this should be three separate figures)
8.      The percentage of requests for an EHC needs assessment rejected by the council so far in 2023/24 (excluding requests for which no decision has yet been made)
9.      The percentage of EHC needs assessments that resulted in a decision to award a new EHCP in 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23 respectively (this should be three separate figures)
10.   The percentage of EHC needs assessments that resulted in a decision to award a new EHCP so far in 2023/24 (excluding assessments regarding which no decision to award or not award an EHCP has yet been made)
11.   The number of EHCPs that were ceased/terminated for reasons other than exceeding the age range for SEND support, in 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23 respectively (this should be three separate figures)
12.   The number of EHCPs that were ceased/terminated for reasons other than exceeding the age range for SEND support so far in 2023/24
13.   The total number of children/young people with EHCPs during the course of 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23 respectively (this should be three separate figures)
14.   The total number of children/young people with EHCPs during the course of 2023/24 to date
15.   Other than those referred to in response to question 6, any target, benchmark, key performance indicator or targeted/preferred direction of travel the council has regarding EHC assessments (including requests for an assessment), EHCPs (including cessation of EHCPs), or use of special schools by SEND children/students – and performance against these metrics to date. If the council has a stated preference for a particular measure to rise or fall (even without a stipulated target), that falls within the scope of this question.
For all questions other than 6 and 15, please use the attached spreadsheet to provide responses.

Response: 

Please find attached the responses in the provided spreadsheet, and the answer to question 6 and 15 below:

6. Any target, benchmark or key performance indicator the council has for the percentage of EHCPs awarded within the statutory timeframe in 2023/24, and performance against this to date. Please state whether this includes or excludes exception cases.

Target for 2023/24  % of new EHC Plans completed within 20 weeks in month, excluding exceptions is 80%

15.   Other than those referred to in response to question 6, any target, benchmark, key performance indicator or targeted/preferred direction of travel the council has regarding EHC assessments (including requests for an assessment), EHCPs (including cessation of EHCPs), or use of special schools by SEND children/students – and performance against these metrics to date. If the council has a stated preference for a particular measure to rise or fall (even without a stipulated target), that falls within the scope of this question.

We have a target of 80% of EHCPs completed within 20 weeks. We currently have 90% completed within 20 weeks.

We have no targets similar to those mentioned above.

We are unable to provide an exact number for question 5 above as: 

  • There is a low number involved. 
  • The release of this information could identify individuals which would constitute their personal data under the Data Protection Act  
  • There is no prior expectation on the part of these individuals that their personal information would be published in the wider public domain under the FOI Act 
  • Personal data of any other person is exempt under section 40 (2) of the Data Protection Act. 

However in the interests of transparency we are able to provide this information to you categorised as fewer than 5 to give you an indication of the figure

Request reference:
FOI 13439