SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS

Supporting Inclusive Education with EHCP Plus

The government’s £740 million investment to create thousands of new specialist places in mainstream schools is a significant step towards more inclusive education. This initiative aims to ensure children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) can thrive in supportive environments alongside their peers. By integrating SEND provision into mainstream schools, the strategy reduces reliance on specialized institutions while promoting inclusivity.

However, funding alone is not enough. The increase in specialist places will likely lead to a rise in Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs), adding pressure to schools and councils already struggling to meet current demands. To address these challenges effectively, schools and local authorities need robust tools and systems to manage the growing workload and ensure timely support for SEND children.

How EHCP Plus can help:

• Save Time: Streamlines administration, saving over six hours per EHCP, freeing professionals to focus on supporting children.

• Ensure Quality Plans: Delivers consistent, legally compliant EHCPs tailored to each child’s unique needs.

• Reduce Backlogs: Speeds up processes, helping councils meet deadlines and provide timely support.

• Minimize Disputes: Enhances communication, fostering trust and reducing complaints and tribunals.

With tools like EHCP Plus, schools and councils can maximise the impact of this investment, ensuring every SEND child gets the support they need to thrive.

CIVIL REGISTRATION

Home Office £260m Civil Registration Overhaul: Urgent Modernisation Needed

The Home Office Civil Registration Service Transformation (CReST) project will cost £263.35 million, aiming to digitise life event registrations by 2030. This initiative addresses outdated systems, enhances accessibility, and aligns with digital identity goals, promising £291 million in benefits and improved service continuity.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

AI Role in Transforming Public Services: Opportunities and Challenges

The Alan Turing Institute recent analysis underscores the transformative potential of AI in public services, estimating that 84% of repetitive transactions across 200 government services could be automated. This revelation highlights a significant opportunity to alleviate bureaucratic burdens, particularly in areas like adult social care, where AI can streamline processes such as report writing. Dr Jonathan Bright, head of AI for public services, emphasises the dual benefits of increased productivity and improved job satisfaction, as AI could relieve workers from mundane tasks, allowing them to focus on more meaningful interactions.

However, the path to AI integration is fraught with challenges. Concerns about outsourcing human decision-making to machines are valid, as evidenced by past scandals like the Post Office Horizon debacle. The UK Government is actively addressing these issues, focusing on ethics, privacy, and transparency. Despite these efforts, public sector productivity has stagnated over the past two decades, even with digital advancements. Bright warns against squandering AI potential by increasing bureaucratic demands, which could negate time savings.

Public acceptance of AI is growing, albeit cautiously. While some areas, such as autonomous vehicles, remain contentious, the enthusiasm for generative AI is notable. This shift in perception, where technology is seen as an aid rather than a constraint, offers a glimmer of hope for the future of AI in public services.

COUNCIL FINANCE

Cambridgeshire Faces Tough Choices with Proposed Tax Hike and £1bn Investment

SEND – A Waiting Game We Can’t Afford to Play

When it comes to SEND services, it sometimes feels like where you live determines how quickly your child gets the support they need. Some families are stuck waiting months—sometimes years—for an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP). Meanwhile, children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities fall further behind their peers, with the attainment gap growing year after year. It’s a heartbreaking situation for families, and it’s clear that the current system just isn’t cutting it.

But here’s the thing: it doesn’t have to be this way. Across the country, people are proving that we can do better. Tools and technologies are emerging that can help speed up the EHCP process and improve its precision. These aren’t just fancy gadgets—they’re the kinds of solutions that could give overworked case workers the time to focus on what really matters: children and families. Of course, tech alone isn’t enough. Case workers need the training and support to use these tools effectively, and that means investing in the people who hold the system together and we are aiming to activate a community of caseworkers and plan writers in the new year (watch this space.)

At the end of the day, it’s about moving from a system that feels stuck to one that actually works for the people it serves. SEND services should be about enabling every child to succeed, not leaving them stuck waiting for help. The path forward is clear—it’s time for government, councils, and communities to double down on solutions that work. Children can’t wait, and neither should we.

👉 Keep up with Agilisys Transform on their website or on LinkedIn.

CONSULTANT SPENDING

Council Faces Criticism Over £2M Consultant Spending Amid Local Business Concerns

DIGITISATION

Is Legacy Tech Holding Your Organisation Back, or Can It Work with Innovation?

Outdated systems are a persistent challenge for the public sector, slowing workflows, increasing costs, and diverting resources away from frontline services. Yet replacing these systems entirely isn’t always feasible due to high costs and complexity.

Legacy systems don’t have to be roadblocks. With the right approach, they can coexist with cutting-edge tools, helping organisations improve efficiency, reduce costs, and deliver better outcomes for citizens.

Read the full article to explore how innovation can transform public services without starting from scratch.

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