In the heart of local authority services, there's a pressing challenge that's been growing steadily: the rising demand for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) for children with special educational needs. The task of merging information from various stakeholders into a single, coherent plan is not only time-consuming but also fraught with paperwork.

Enter EHCP Plus, an innovative project that's exploring the transformative power of AI in streamlining this process. Outcomes Matter, Datnexa, Agilisys, and a panel of Local Authority experts, is pioneering a ground breaking initiative to automate the initial drafting of EHCPs. Picture this: inputs from families, schools, and health professionals, all seamlessly integrated by an AI model in less than a minute.

Dr Claire Darwin from Suffolk County Council sheds some practical light on the urgency of this innovation: "We know the existing process is cumbersome and frustrating for all parties involved. AI offers us a chance to cut through the administrative red tape, allowing us to dedicate more time to meaningful engagement with families."

This ambitious project is now on the lookout for more local authority partners to put this approach to the test. "We're aiming to save local authorities a significant amount of time, time that can be redirected towards deeper, more impactful conversations with families," Emma Ockelford elaborates. "Our ultimate goal? To ensure every child receives the tailored support they need to thrive."

EHCP Plus isn't just about efficiency; it's about enhancing the quality and accessibility of the plans themselves too. We are championing the idea that AI, when applied thoughtfully and ethically, can revolutionise processes to free up precious people resource to better serve our communities. With pilot schemes set to launch later in 2024, we're poised to gather valuable insights that will pave the way for this technology's national adoption.

This is a call to action for Local Authorities to join hands in pioneering a change that could redefine support for families and children. The potential here is immense, and the time to act is now. Register your interest at www.ehcp.plus