In the Headlines🔍

Is Your Council Experiencing Unprecedented Growth In EHCP Requests?

​This is what North Somerset Council faced - with rising volumes, mounting caseworker pressure, and the urgent need to ensure children received timely and high-quality plans. From the graph below, you can see the council experienced a 95% growth in EHCP requests over 4 years. ​

By introducing the Agilisys EHCP Drafting Tool, North Somerset has significantly reduced the administrative impact on professionals and enhanced the quality of support offered to children and families. Learn more and download the NSC case study of their use of the EHCP tool. ​

Quick Reads📖

NURSE RECRUITMENT

Social Care Nurse Recruitment and Medicines Sustainability Challenges in East England

Amidst challenges in student nurse recruitment for social care in the East of England, the local council prioritises increased placement opportunities and preceptorships to attract young talent. Additionally, emphasis is placed on enhancing medicines sustainability by reducing waste and reassessing unnecessary prescriptions.

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

Digital Service Advancements and Fraud Prevention Mark HM Land Registry's Progress

HM Land Registry's Annual Report 2024-25 outlines enhancements in digital capabilities, leading to quicker property registration, which is crucial for the £9 trillion property market in England and Wales. Notably, over 3,000 users employ their datasets monthly, indicating the assets' significance in asset management and risk analysis. The report also highlights successful fraud prevention measures, blocking over £59 million in fraudulent applications, enhancing trust in property transactions.

SOCIAL CARE REORGANISATION

Social Care Partnerships Required in Reorganisation Plans for Councils

Local government reorganisation will mandate councils to incorporate social care partnerships, aiming to enhance financial sustainability and value. This directive, announced by local government minister Jim McMahon, underscores the critical need for efficient resource utilisation in providing adult and children's social care. Such restructuring is crucial for councils to address funding challenges effectively.

EDUCATION CRISIS

UK's SEN Funding Crisis Drives Innovation in Inclusive Education and Investment

The UK's SEN funding shortfall, hitting £3.3 billion by 2024, requires urgent reforms to ensure sustainable support for escalating EHCP demands. Proposed initiatives include early intervention, mainstream inclusion, and boosted public-private partnerships, highlighted by hefty £12 billion investments in inclusive education. Investors should consider EdTech and PPPs addressing personalised SEN needs, offering potential growth amid systemic changes.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE

Norfolk County Council Faces £7m Annual Interest on SEND Debt

Norfolk County Council is incurring £7 million annually in interest payments for debt associated with supporting SEND children. This financial strain highlights significant budgetary concerns, necessitating immediate evaluation of funding strategies to ensure sustainable educational support.