TL;DR The government’s plan to create new specialist places in mainstream schools with a funding boost of £740million is a positive step and will ensure that children with SEND receive tailored support to help them thrive. However, the funding injection will likely lead to more EHCPs, further increasing pressure on councils and schools as they struggle to meet current needs. EHCP Plus provides a solution, helping to manage this demand by saving time, improving plan quality, reducing backlogs, and meeting deadlines, so children get the right support at the right time.

The government’s plan to create thousands of new specialist places in mainstream schools is a big step towards making education more inclusive. It recognises that children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) should have the chance to learn alongside their peers in supportive environments. The creation is part of a broader strategy to integrate more SEND provision into mainstream education, reducing the strain on specialised institutions and promoting inclusivity among children and young people.

However, simply adding more places is not enough — schools and councils also need the appropriate tools, resources, and systems to effectively manage the increased demand without exacerbating the strain on an already overburdened SEND system.

This is where EHCP Plus can help. Our tool makes the process of creating and managing Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs) simpler, quicker, and more effective. It supports councils, schools, and families to give children the right help at the right time.

EHCP Plus delivers four key benefits:

· Save Time and Resources: Our tool aims to save over six hours for every EHCP by reducing admin and speeding up processes. This means professionals can spend more time supporting children and families, and less time on paperwork. Across the country, this could free up over fifty thousand working days!

· Produce Consistently High-Quality Plans: EHCP Plus makes sure every child’s plan is thorough and follows best practice and legal guidelines. This ensures every child’s unique needs are properly understood and supported.

· Reduce Backlogs and Meet Statutory Deadlines: By speeding up the EHCP process, our tool helps councils’ clear backlogs and meet legal deadlines, so children get the support they need on time.

·  Help Reduce Complaints and Tribunals: EHCP Plus helps build trust by improving communication and making the process clear and consistent. This means fewer complaints and disputes, and better relationships with families.

These new specialist places represent an incredible opportunity to transform education for children with SEND. With tools like EHCP Plus, local authorities can streamline processes and ensure every child receives the tailored support they need to reach their full potential and thrive.