UPCOMING EVENTS

Exclusive Webinar: EHCP Plus - Winter Cohort Insights

Join Agilisys Transform for an exclusive webinar, EHCP Plus: Winter Cohort Insights, and gain first-hand knowledge on how councils are leveraging AI to enhance SEND services.​

The session will explore:

• Key lessons learned from the Winter Cohort​

• First-hand experiences from councils using EHCP Plus​

• The transformative role of AI in improving SEND outcomes​

📅 Date: Wednesday, 12 March 2025​
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM GMT

EDUCATIONAL INNOVATION

UK Schools Lack Expertise in AI, Leaders Warn

A survey of over 200 school leaders, covering around 1,650 schools, reveals a significant lack of AI knowledge in education. 75% of leaders say their schools lack AI expertise, and only 9% have a defined AI strategy, though nearly a third are developing one.

The UK Department for Education is responding with new training and a £3M investment in AI-driven workload reduction tools, including a "content bank" to improve educational material generation.

Despite AI’s potential benefits, such as reducing teacher workload and enabling personalized learning, concerns remain:

• 65% worry about academic malpractice,

• 62% cite the need for teacher training,

• 58% are concerned about AI quality control.

Around half of schools have started using AI, but fewer than 25% use it regularly. However, 40% report positive outcomes, while only 5% have seen negative effects. AI also holds promise for assistive technologies supporting SEND students, with the Department requiring new teachers to be trained in its use.

For AI adoption to succeed, clear policies, training, and quality control are needed to balance innovation with responsible implementation, ensuring it enhances education without introducing new risks.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Warwickshire's Local Government Faces Urgent Reorganisation Amidst Devolution Plans

PUBLIC SECTOR TECHNOLOGY

What’s Next for Local Councils’ Digital Ambitions

The UK government has pledged to "reset" its relationship with local authorities, signaling a new era for public sector collaboration, digital innovation, and service delivery. To explore what this means for councils, technologists, and citizens, PublicTechnology, in partnership with Civica, hosted an on-demand webinar featuring leaders from Birmingham and Brent councils. The discussion covers topics such as Whitehall's role in supporting technology adoption, sustaining innovation amid financial pressures, leveraging AI and digital tools for efficiency, defining success in digital transformation, and best practices for collaborating with technology partners.

SEND FINANCIAL PRECINCTS

Most Councils Face Insolvency Over SEND Spending

Over half of England’s councils risk insolvency when the statutory override on high-needs SEND deficits ends in March 2026, with 65% at risk by 2028-29. This override has allowed councils to exclude SEND-related deficits, but without it, 53% won’t balance budgets for 2026-27.

The crisis stems from a 140% rise in EHCPs since 2015, reaching 575,963 children in 2024. The LGA urges government action, recommending a £5 billion deficit write-off and reforms to increase mainstream inclusion. Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ £1B funding boost and £740M for specialist school places offer relief, but experts warn that without systemic change, councils risk collapse, endangering SEND services.

PARTNERSHIP NEWS

Wigan Council x Agilisys Transform

Struggling with time and resources in Adult Social Care? You’re not alone.​

Wigan Council, in partnership with Agilisys Transform, is proving that AI can help teams do more with less. By co-developing AI-powered tools like automated needs assessments, meeting minutes, and case auditing, we’ve helped Wigan cut assessment drafting time by 50%, save 107 days of work, and free up social workers to focus on residents instead of paperwork. The result? Happier, healthier staff, reduced sickness and overtime, and more efficient service delivery.​

Could AI help your team unlock these benefits? Read the full case study to see how Wigan and Agilisys Transform are making it happen. [Insert link]

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Councils Could Face £8bn Funding Black Hole By 2028/29

Recent analysis by the Local Government Association (LGA) indicates that councils in England may encounter a funding shortfall exceeding £8 billion by 2028/29 if current cost and demand trends persist. This projection underscores the urgent need for comprehensive financial strategies to ensure the sustainability of essential local services.

Key Findings:

• Escalating Service Costs: The LGA's submission to the Treasury ahead of the Spending Review reveals that, without intervention, cost and demand pressures could add £21.4 billion to council service delivery expenses by 2028/29, representing a 29.8% increase since 2024/25.

• Progressive Funding Gaps: Projected deficits are expected to grow annually, starting from £1.9 billion in 2025/26, escalating to £4.0 billion in 2026/27, £6.0 billion in 2027/28, and reaching £8.4 billion by 2028/29.

The LGA urges government action in the upcoming Spending Review, calling for sustainable funding to prevent service cuts and ensure councils can support communities effectively.

EDUCATION POLICY

Five Reforms the Select Committee SEND Inquiry Must Deliver

In December 2024, the UK education select committee initiated an inquiry into the provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), addressing a system described by the education secretary as "neglected to the point of crisis." To create an inclusive educational environment that meets the diverse needs of all learners, five key reforms are proposed:

1. Mandatory SEND Training: Currently, only one-third of teachers have received SEND training since April 2021. Implementing compulsory, regularly updated training for all educators is essential to equip them with the necessary skills to support students effectively.

2. Accountability for Local Authorities (LAs): In 2023, only half of Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs) were issued within the statutory 20-week deadline. Stricter regulation and oversight are needed to ensure LAs meet their obligations promptly, with clear consequences for delays.

3. Improved Access to External Professionals: As of June 2024, over 40,000 children were waiting more than 12 weeks for speech and language therapy. Investing in the recruitment and retention of specialists, and ensuring schools can access these services, is critical for timely support.

4. Enhanced Funding and Resources: The increasing number of SEND students necessitates additional funding to provide adequate support, resources, and infrastructure. Allocating sufficient budgets will enable schools to meet these growing demands effectively.

5. Clear Guidance and Support for Schools: Providing schools with comprehensive guidelines and support frameworks will assist in implementing best practices for SEND education, fostering an environment where all students can thrive.

Implementing these reforms requires a collaborative effort among policymakers, educational institutions, and communities to ensure that every child receives the support they need to achieve and thrive.

Restoring The Heart of Social Care with AI

Joining Agilisys has truly been a breath of fresh air. For the first time in a long while, I feel excited and inspired by the work I do. Being surrounded by a team of creative, driven individuals who are genuinely passionate about making a difference has reignited the spark I had when I first entered social work. When I reflect on my previous role, I realise how much the endless paperwork and administrative pressures drained my enthusiasm. I was constantly behind, overwhelmed, and disconnected from the very reasons I chose this profession.​

The more I have worked with our QuickAction platform and the Agilisys Needs Assessment tool that is a part of it, the more I have come to appreciate how transformative it truly is. There is something incredibly empowering about knowing that this tool was designed with social care workers in mind, built not just for us, but with us.​

From start to finish, using the tool was an easy, efficient experience. I would go to the App, press record and be present in the assessment, without having to worry about taking endless notes.​

This tool does not just reduce admin, it restores the heart of social work. It allows us to focus on the human side of our job, while also making the process of documentation smoother and more manageable. It would give me the freedom to feel less stressed, more in control, and most importantly, more present in my role. This is not just a tool, it is a revolution in the way we approach social care. I know it is going to continue to transform the way we work for years to come. 

Press here to learn more🔗

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Smart Technology Revolutionises St Helens Adult Social Care Strategy

EDUCATION POLICY

How School Type Affects SEND Identification Rates

A recent study by the Education Policy Institute (EPI) highlights significant disparities in the identification of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) among students in England, influenced by school type, student background, and attendance patterns. The research indicates that pupils attending academies, or residing in areas with a high concentration of academies, are less likely to be recognized as having SEND compared to their peers in local authority-maintained schools. This discrepancy may stem from academies enrolling fewer SEND students, under-identifying needs, or effectively addressing needs without formal identification.

Additionally, the study reveals that children for whom English is an additional language, those with frequent absences due to illness, and students who change schools often are less likely to have their SEND identified, potentially because their needs are less visible in the school environment. Gender differences were also noted; girls in secondary schools are less frequently identified with social, emotional, and mental health needs than boys, despite similar incidences of behavioural or emotional disorders.

These findings underscore the necessity for a more consistent and equitable approach to SEND identification across all school types, ensuring that all children receive the support they require.

YOUR FEEDBACK MATTERS 🗳️