As a caseworker in SEND services, drafting Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) is often a time-consuming and laborious task. Manually compiling information from various sources—such as professional advice, school reports, and parent/child views—typically takes around six hours per plan. However, our ground breaking AI-powered solution called EHCP Plus is set to transform this process, saving valuable time and improving the quality and consistency of EHCPs.

Developed by Outcomes Matter , Datnexa and Agilisys, EHCP Plus utilises generative AI to create the first draft EHCP in under an hour. By ingesting and analysing all relevant documents, the AI can intelligently combine and summarise the information into a cohesive draft plan. As one caseworker noted, "It pulled out all the different aspects... the letter from health, the scanned-in documents. It's pulling out everything it needs."

EHCP Plus is currently undergoing a series of pilot programmes with several local authorities. During this pilot, caseworkers attend weekly "huddles" to provide feedback, share tips, and collaborate on refining the tool. "The huddles are structured but flexible, with a clear agenda for each session," explains Freya from the Outcomes Matter team. This iterative approach ensures that EHCP Plus evolves to meet the specific needs of each local authority, fostering a sense of community and shared learning.

While EHCP Plus is not intended to replace caseworkers, it serves as a powerful tool to augment their efforts. By automating the initial drafting process, caseworkers can dedicate more time to engaging with children and families, ensuring their unique needs are met. And one Local Authority colleague noted, "I think the tool should be tailored to local areas, despite national consistency efforts." 

Furthermore, the tool's ability to reference professionals throughout the plan allows for easy cross-checking and quality assurance, reducing the risk of errors or inconsistencies. "We aim to get you 80% of the way, but you will have to do that final check," acknowledged one of the Agilisys team.

In our development journey challenges remain, such as addressing "hallucinations" (instances where the AI invents information) and ensuring consistent referencing, but the pilot programme is making steady progress. As one caseworker reflected, "I found the tool helpful in removing unnecessary information from scanned documents, saving time and improving efficiency."

As the pilot programme progresses, EHCP Plus is poised to revolutionise the way EHCPs are created, streamlining processes, improving quality, and ultimately enhancing the support provided to children with special educational needs and disabilities. With its innovative approach and commitment to collaboration, EHCP Plus represents a significant step forward in leveraging AI to improve outcomes for children and young people.