Local SEND Reform Plans · 40 documents asked · 40 answered · 0 not stated · run 11 September 2026
How does this council plan to reduce reliance on EHC plans, and what targets or numbers does it set?
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Ask for a surveyAlmost every council answers this the same way: build an "Experts at Hand" (or similarly named) multidisciplinary offer, so speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and educational psychology support reaches children through mainstream settings and SEN Support, before statutory assessment is considered. Barnsley, Bath and North East Somerset, Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole, Bristol, Bromley, Bury, Cornwall, Coventry, Durham, Hackney, Harrow, Hertfordshire, Nottingham, Rochdale, Solihull, South Gloucestershire, Wirral, Wolverhampton and Worcestershire all use some version of this model, usually alongside inclusion bases, resource bases or an "ordinarily available provision" framework.
Where councils differ is in honesty about trajectory. Several openly admit EHCP numbers will keep rising, not falling: Cambridgeshire (8,341 to 10,200 by 2029), Slough (15% annual growth expected), Wigan, Wirral, Isle of Wight, Somerset and Norfolk all frame success as slower growth, not reduction. Bury and Hertfordshire go further, saying real rebalancing only comes after 2029, with Year 1 treated as design and baseline-setting.
The most numerically detailed plans are Bromley, Dorset, Wigan, Cornwall, Bristol, East Sussex, Hounslow and Harrow, which set explicit percentages for slowing EHCP growth, shifting mainstream placement shares, and cutting independent or out-of-area placements. Wigan stands out for stricter assessment thresholds, targeting EHCNA-to-plan conversion falling from 97% to 85%. Reading and Hackney stand out for unusually specific process targets (percentage cuts to unplaced time, complaints, EHCNA request rates).
At the other end, Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole, Coventry, Rochdale, Solihull and Wolverhampton describe direction of travel — mainstream inclusion, reduced escalation — without any numeric targets, saying baselines or frameworks are still to be finalised. Worcestershire explicitly says it avoids setting a numeric EHCP target, preferring placement-mix measures instead.
No council in this set gives no answer at all; every one describes at least a model or approach, even where numbers are absent.
Not stated: none.
About this survey
The question was put to each document on its own, using up to six of its most relevant pages. Page numbers in the table link to the document itself.
Model claude-sonnet-5. How a survey is made.
Every document's answer
Barnsley
Barnsley plans to reduce EHC plan reliance by embedding the "Experts at Hand" (EAH) multidisciplinary model in mainstream settings, enabling earlier identification and support at SEN Support level rather than through statutory assessment p14. Targets by 2026/2029 include reducing EHCP assessment volume to below 700 annually (vs forecast 728), cutting EHCP requests from 783 to below 750, slowing EHCP growth from ~9% to 2–3% annually, and increasing children supported by SaLT (to ≥2,160) and OT (to ≥1,200) without an EHCP (pages 24, 23).
Bath and North East Somerset
The council aims to reduce reliance on EHCPs by strengthening early, needs-led support through the "Experts at Hand" (EAH) locality model, aiming for at least 90% of schools/settings to access EAH support and 90% of settings implementing the needs-led approach (page 4, 24). Success measures include decreasing CYP with EHCPs on part-time/reduced timetables, experiencing suspensions, or persistently absent (page 3, 26), plus reduced spend on independent/out-of-area placements p3.
Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole
BCP plans to reduce EHCP reliance through earlier intervention via its "Experts at Hand" model, strengthening inclusive mainstream provision and increasing specialist places within mainstream settings p4. It expects earlier identification to lower the proportion of EHCNA requests progressing to an EHCP and reduce escalation to statutory assessment p12. Success measures include reduced EHCNA requests, fewer EHCNAs resulting in EHCPs, and decreased numbers of children with EHCPs in non-maintained or independent special schools p38. No specific numerical targets are given, only directional indicators by 2029 p12.
Brighton And Hove
The council plans earlier identification, stronger SEN Support, and expanded Experts at Hand multidisciplinary advice to reduce escalation to EHC needs assessments (page 6, page 12). It targets a 5% reduction in EHC applications by 2029 from a baseline of 3,241 EHCPs and 688 annual EHCNA requests (page 1, page 4), stabilising EHCP/EHCNA growth, increasing mainstream placement of EHCP pupils from 57% to 65% by 2029, and ending additional independent/out-of-area placements from 2027 (page 4, page 6).
Bristol
Bristol aims to shift from statutory assessment reliance to an "inclusion first by design" model, using the Inclusive Learning Service, Experts at Hand offer, and SENCO clusters to build mainstream capacity p16. It targets reducing the EHCP annual growth rate from 14.2% (2025/26) to 9.6% (2028/29) p18, cutting independent special school placements (INMSS) from 348 to 148, and raising EHCPs educated in mainstream/resource bases from 3336 (90%) to 4828 (93%) p11.
Bromley
Bromley aims to reduce reliance on EHC plans by expanding early intervention via the Experts at Hand model, strengthening SEN Support, and building workforce capacity in speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and educational psychology p6. From 4,784 EHC plans in December 2025, growth is targeted to moderate to 5,633 by 2029, with growth slowing from 2028 p20. EHC needs assessment requests (1,065) and plans issued (756) annually should reduce from 2027 p20. Mainstream-supported EHCP numbers should rise from 1,839 to 2,385, while NMSS/independent placements (435) stabilise and reduce from 2028 p20.
Bury
Bury plans to moderate demand for EHC plans by developing its "Experts at Hand" service, a mainstream-first inclusive system, and early intervention (page 8, page 25). Targets include reducing EHCP assessment requests from 622 to 465 (rolling 12-month count) and new EHCPs issued from 402 to 300 p8. However, the council expects the total number of active EHCPs and overall costs to keep rising during 2026–2029, with real rebalancing away from over-dependence on EHCPs only expected in the 2029–2035 period (page 4, page 25).
Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire does not expect an immediate fall in EHCP numbers, projecting total EHCPs to rise from 8,341 in 2025 to 10,200 by 2029 p38. Instead, it aims to reduce escalation by strengthening early identification, Ordinarily Available Provision, and mainstream capacity, while increasing mainstream EHCP placements from 3,392 (2025) to 4,528 (2029), special school places to 2,405, and Enhanced Resource Base capacity to 2,512 p72. It also targets EHCP timeliness: 20% within 20 weeks by 2026, 46% by 2027 p72.
Cornwall
Cornwall aims to reduce EHC plan reliance by strengthening earlier, mainstream identification and support through an "Everyone at Home" (E@H) offer, an Ordinarily Available Provision framework, and Inclusion Charter, so more needs are met at SEN support level (page 1, page 33). Targets include slowing EHCP growth to 8% by 2028/29 (down from a projected 12%) and EHCNA growth to 20% (down from 14%), against a 2025 baseline of 5,575 EHCPs and 1,545 EHCNA requests, with SEN support/EHCP split targeted at 70% (page 2, page 19).
Coventry
Coventry aims to strengthen early, non-EHCP support by expanding the "Experts at Hand" model and SaLT/OT provision earlier, reducing avoidable escalation into EHC plans, alternative provision and EOTAS p3. It plans more Specialist Bases in mainstream schools (three primary and one secondary opened since 2024, with a further three primary and one secondary due by early 2027) to keep children locally supported rather than needing formal plans p1. Success measures include increasing CYP with EHC plans educated in mainstream settings, and reducing EOTAS/reduced-timetable volume and duration (pages 5, 6), but no specific numeric reduction target for EHC plan numbers is stated.
Cumberland
Cumberland aims to reduce EHC plan reliance by strengthening mainstream capacity through a co-produced Local Offer, graduated response, and an "Experts at Hand" model providing early specialist advice (page 7, page 15). This should increase the proportion of needs met at SEN Support and "stabilise EHCP growth in line with planned trajectories" p9. Targets include at least 30% of schools using the Inclusion Hotline, 50% of settings using Experts at Hand, and reduced spend on placements currently costing over £6.4m annually (page 11, page 15, page 7).
Dorset
Dorset aims to reduce EHC plan reliance through its Expertise Offer, Specialist Inclusion Bases, and earlier intervention, targeting stabilised EHCNAs from 632 to around 616 and EHCP increase rates slowing to 3% in Year 1 and 2% by Year 3 p45. Children with SEN but without EHCPs supported by key practitioners should rise from 3,283 to 3,706, then 4,172 and 4,638 by Year 3 p45. Independent special placements should fall from 523/527 to 508, then 463 p45.
Durham
Durham plans to embed a quality-assured Ordinarily Available Provision offer and the Experts at Hand model to shift support to SEN Support level, reducing escalation to EHC plans, currently growing at 9% annually p2. It will expand mainstream inclusion bases via a "mainstream-first sufficiency approach" to meet needs locally instead of specialist placement p13. Progress targets include stabilising then reducing EHCP growth, decreased reliance on independent/out-of-area provision, and by Year 3 evidencing "stabilised demand, reduced cost pressures" p4.
East Sussex
East Sussex plans to build inclusive mainstream capacity and specialist bases so children can stay locally rather than needing EHC plans or costly out-of-area placements, using High Needs Provision Capital Allocation and collaboration with MATs p1. It targets an 89% increase in specialist places across mainstream primary and secondary by 2028/29, alongside workforce growth in therapists and educational psychologists, to support long-term financial stability post-2029 p6. It also aims to reduce reliance on Independent/Non-Maintained Special Schools (INMS), cutting associated spend p1, and expects a "downward trajectory" in the High Needs Block deficit from 2029/30 p1.
Hackney
Hackney plans to shift to a "needs-led" Universal Offer, using Experts at Hand, Support Bases and Strategic Multi-Agency Planning to meet needs earlier without statutory assessment (page 8, page 24). It targets an 8% reduction in EHCNA request rates p8, elsewhere cited as 7.8% lower EHCP escalation p68, plus reduced reliance on out-of-borough/independent placements, with about 530 new local inclusion base places, sized 16–24 pupils each p59.
Harrow
Harrow aims to reduce reliance on EHC plans through earlier intervention, expanded Experts at Hand (EAH) support, and increased local specialist capacity, growing special school places from 547 to 684 p69, with £23m capital investment to 2029 to cut reliance on high-cost placements p69. Targets include moderating EHC needs assessment requests to 736 by 2027/28 against a 794 trajectory p25, raising children educated locally to 80% by 2028/29 p25, reducing average EHCP unit cost by 0.7% by 2027/28 p69, and cutting transport growth from 14–15% to about 7-8% (page 69, page 80).
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire aims to shift toward earlier intervention via its "Experts at Hand" model and Focused Intervention Funding, helping settings meet needs before escalation to EHC plans (page 43, page 20). It will track "% children receiving focused intervention funding who do not progress to EHCNA/EHCP within 6, 12 months," with baseline to be set in year 1 (page 13, page 20). Notably, Year 1 is framed as design/embedding, with no assumed immediate reduction in statutory demand p43. A decreasing appeal rate target is set against a "5.3% (2026 projection)" baseline p13.
Hounslow
Hounslow plans to strengthen Ordinarily Available Provision, the Universal Offer, and the Mainstream Inclusion Partnership to meet needs earlier, targeting a 5% annual reduction in EHC Needs Assessment requests through to 2029 p5. It will create at least 370 support base places and 515 specialist base places, raising mainstream inclusion from 42.5% to 52% by 2029 p5. It also expands therapy/neurodevelopmental access from 2,922 to 7,472 children, aiming to reduce escalation to statutory assessment p5.
Isle of Wight
The council will roll out the "Experts at Hand" (EAH) model to deliver proactive specialist support (speech and language, OT, EP, SEMH) without needing an EHCP, aiming to build workforce capability, support earlier intervention, and reduce reliance on EHCPs p10. Seventy percent of specialist capacity will be deployed proactively via data-led targeting p21. Despite this, EHCP numbers are still projected to rise from 2,006 (2025) to 2,990 by 2029 p10, and EHC needs assessment requests from 383 to 571 p10, so the plan targets slowing escalation rather than an absolute reduction target.
Kingston upon Thames
Kingston plans to strengthen mainstream and early intervention through local SEND clusters, consultation models, and a "Specialist Expertise at Hand" offer, aiming to increase confidence in mainstream provision and reduce EHC needs assessment requests, which stood at 356 in 2025 p4. It aims to increase children supported by EPs, SaLTs, and OTs without an EHCP, currently 273 p5. It also expects a slowing in the rate of increase of EHCNAs and EHCPs, though overall numbers may keep rising short-term p13.
Leeds
Leeds plans to build a more inclusive mainstream system through a local inclusion support offer and an "Experts at Hand" workforce offer, so needs are met earlier and locally rather than via EHC plans p6. Success measures include more children having needs met in mainstream settings, reducing moves to special schools at transition points, and a target of "<15% increase year on year" in mediations/tribunals, down from a current ">30% increase" p6. It also aims to improve EHCP timeliness and quality and bring annual reviews in line with the national average p6.
Norfolk
Norfolk plans to slow EHCP growth by expanding support without plans, rather than cutting existing plans. It has invested "Experts at Hand" roles (SALT, OT, Educational Psychology) aiming to reach 80% of CYP at SEN Support without an EHCP by 2027/28 p191. It uses cohort-funded top-ups instead of individual ones p190, and modelled EHCP growth under Scenario 2, reaching 7.95% of the population by 2029, still totalling 15,885 plans (page 60; page 184). Non-maintained special school placement growth is expected to slow from 2028 if proposed controls are introduced p190.
North Northamptonshire
The council plans to reduce EHC plan reliance through Inclusion Partnerships, a refreshed Ordinarily Available Provision framework, and an "Experts at Hand" tiered multidisciplinary support model offering early specialist access without statutory assessment (page 29, page 36). Rather than fixed numerical targets, it sets phased goals: slowing EHCP request growth in 2026/27, a plateau relative to forecast in 2027/28, and stable EHCP rates with demand aligned to a "mitigated forecast scenario" by 2028/29 p38.
Nottingham
Nottingham aims to reduce reliance on EHC plans mainly through its "Experts at Hand" offer, giving mainstream settings quick access to specialists "without requiring a diagnosis or EHCP" p30. Currently EHCP rate is about 3%, below the 5.3% national average, though demand has risen over 50% since 2020 p30. The plan targets stabilising the High Needs budget by 2028 by reducing costly independent/out-of-area placements and expanding local provision p30. It also sets a target to reduce permanent exclusions by 25% versus last year p46.
Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire plans to reduce EHC plan reliance by expanding early intervention, Enhanced Pathways, and a county-wide network of secondary inclusion and support bases embedded in mainstream schools, aiming to meet needs earlier without statutory assessment (page 3, page 7). This is backed by capital investment creating 896 additional specialist places, raising capacity from 1,633 to meet forecast demand of 2,312 places by 2028/29 p7. Delivery is phased over three years, prioritising sites with existing capacity before new build (page 15, page 16).
Reading
Reading aims to reduce reliance on EHC plans through effective early intervention, needs-led (not diagnosis-led) pathways, and a reform-aligned strategy addressing mainstream provision, INMSS, and Alternative Provision (page 12, page 3). Specific targets include increasing EHE pupils with EHCPs moving back into maintained settings by 20%, reducing unplaced/EOTAS EHCP pupils by 60%, cutting unplaced time by 20%, and reducing corporate complaints by at least 25% p12. It also targets delivery of 180 new special school places by 2027/28 to boost local capacity p12.
Richmond upon Thames
The council plans to shift resources toward early intervention rather than statutory EHC processes, expanding its "Specialist Expertise at Hand" (SEAH) offer to support children without an EHCP (page 4, page 18). Currently 1,252 children are supported by EPs, SaLTs, and OTs without an EHCP (2025/26 baseline), with a target to "maximise" this number p18. It also aims to reduce reliance on out-of-area and independent specialist placements (currently 11% of children, 2025/26) p18, though most specific numeric targets are "to be set by final submission" (page 18, page 19).
Rochdale
Rochdale plans to reduce reliance on EHC plans through earlier intervention, expanded mainstream inclusion capacity, and workforce investment (e.g., speech and language therapists, educational psychologists, occupational therapists) to enable the "Experts at Hand" model p64. It aims for "reduced escalation to EHCP and high-cost provision" and "reduced demand for specialist and independent provision" by Year 2 p15. No specific numeric targets are given, but the plan states it has already achieved "reduction in EHCP growth rates" below regional comparators, and by Year 5 aims to have "stemmed growth of EHCPs" (page 64, page 64).
Shropshire
Shropshire plans to reduce EHC plan reliance by strengthening mainstream inclusion, expanding Inclusion Bases, outreach and locality-based Early Access and Help Offer (EAHO) support so children get help without needing a plan (page 8, page 10). It aims to keep independent/out-of-area (INMSS) placements stable at no more than 9% of the EHCP cohort (page 7, page 18), and to reduce top-up funding gaps versus statistical neighbours from 47.6% to 37% p18. EAHO access (SLT, OT, EP) should rise 10% yearly for three years (page 8, page 7).
Slough
Slough plans to strengthen inclusion and a graduated response, using an "Experts at Hand" 0–25 model and specialist teams around school clusters to identify needs earlier and avoid unnecessary escalation into statutory assessment p30. Rather than reducing EHC plan numbers, it acknowledges demand will keep growing: EHC plans are projected to rise from 2,624 (2025) to reflect 15% annual growth, EHCNA requests from 460 to 770, and EHCNAs resulting in EHCPs from 520 to 870 by 2029 (page 30, page 31). Success will be judged by reduced avoidable escalation, not lower overall numbers p31.
Solihull
Solihull plans to reduce reliance on EHC plans mainly through the "Experts at Hand" offer, giving mainstream settings earlier access to Educational Psychologists, SaLT, OT and Specialist Teachers from September 2026, intended to build whole-setting capacity so needs can be met "without the need for an EHCP or change of setting" p3. It will also issue Ordinarily Available Inclusive Guidance clarifying support available without an EHCP (page 5, page 6), alongside earlier identification and workforce training. No numeric targets or reduction percentages are given (page 1, page 3).
Somerset
Somerset aims to expand local specialist provision, strengthen mainstream inclusion, and achieve a better placement mix to reduce reliance on high-cost independent placements p5. A new post-16 base opening in Cannington in September 2026 is intended to reduce reliance on independent placements and EOTAS p40. Financially, the annual High Needs deficit is forecast to peak at £68.1m in 2029/30 before falling 18% to £57.7m by 2032/33, while average EHCP costs are to be maintained at £25,687 by 2028/29 p20. However, EHCP numbers themselves are still expected to keep rising for at least three years p60.
South Gloucestershire
The council plans to reduce reliance on EHC plans mainly through its "Experts at Hand" model, providing a guaranteed baseline of specialist support to all schools (around 40 days primary/160 days secondary) via multi-agency teams, shifting from referral-based casework to whole-school, early intervention support p48. By year three it aims to close the gap between local and national rates of EHC needs assessment referrals for SEMH needs, and reduce referrals across all other needs too (page 47, page 48). It also targets reduced EHC needs assessments in early years settings and schools as a success measure p94.
South Tyneside
The council aims to reduce EHC plan escalation through the Early Access to Help (EAH) model, targeting at least 50% of CYP accessing EAH not progressing to EHCNA within two terms, and a 30% reduction in statutory requests/referrals from Reception and KS1 p31. It also targets a year-on-year increase in CYP remaining at SEN Support after EAH intervention p11, plus sufficiency shifts: mainstream placements rising to 21.2% and independent/non-maintained placements falling to 5.4% by 2028 p12.
Staffordshire
Staffordshire aims to shift from reactive, EHCP-led responses to earlier identification and stronger mainstream inclusion, targeting a reduction in the rate of EHCP requests and reduced spend on independent/out-of-area placements (page 63, page 19). It plans to increase mainstream places via Enhanced Resource Bases and inclusion investment, only expanding specialist places where mainstream cannot meet needs p86. A concrete target: raising EHCP pupils educated in mainstream settings from 33% to 37% by 31 March 2029 p14.
Stoke-on-Trent
The council plans to strengthen universal and targeted support (via the "Experts at Hand" model, Community SENCOs, and inclusion bases) so needs are met earlier, reducing reliance on statutory pathways (page 6, page 8). Targets include slowing new EHCNA request growth by 2% initially p6, later a reduction of up to 15% in EHCNA requests p9, increasing mainstream-educated EHCP pupils from 36% to at least 41% by 2029 p8, and reducing independent specialist placements below the national average p6.
Wigan
Wigan aims to strengthen SEN Support so fewer children need EHC Plans, boosting pupils on SEN Support from 7,829 to over 8,503 by 2029, rising to 15,000 by 2029 in the roadmap (page 29, page 39). It will make assessment thresholds stricter, with EHCNAs resulting in a Plan falling from 97% to 85%, and refusals stabilising near 25% p29. It also targets reducing children in special schools to under 25%, and cutting reliance on independent/NMSS placements by 23% to 235 (page 29, page 24).
Wirral
Wirral aims to meet needs earlier through mainstream inclusion, expanding inclusion bases (5 in year one, rising to 36 by 2029) and a “Experts at Hand” health model providing early specialist support without needing diagnosis or an EHCP (page 2, page 56). Despite this, EHC plan numbers are still expected to rise, but growth is targeted to slow from 17% to 13% year-on-year, reaching 11,680 by 2029, with special school placements capped at 10% growth (2000 by 2029) p54.
Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton aims to reduce reliance on EHC plans by strengthening mainstream inclusion through a Universal Offer, graduated response, and an "Early Access to Help" (EAH) model providing whole-setting and group-based specialist support rather than individual escalation (page 7, page 11). This should shift demand from statutory pathways to earlier, universal and targeted support p6. Rather than fixed numerical targets, success is tracked via metrics like reduced independent special school reliance, reduced tribunal activity, and EHCP timeliness/trends, with a full outcomes framework and baselines due by Q2 2026/27 p6.
Worcestershire
Worcestershire aims to reduce reliance on EHC plans by strengthening mainstream inclusion, improving "ordinarily available provision," embedding the Experts at Hand therapy model, and increasing local Specialist Inclusion Bases, rather than setting a numeric EHCP target (page 25, page 26, page 4). It seeks to shift placement patterns so more children with EHCPs attend mainstream settings and fewer need special schools or costly independent/out-of-area placements (page 4, page 26). Success is tracked through "increased proportion of children and young people with EHCPs attending mainstream settings" and reduced escalation, rather than a fixed number p10.
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