Having had twelve months of being a Strategic SEND lead for an LA, I now see the tensions from both sides.  So many services have disappeared or been cut over the last ten years, which used to  help build resilience for individuals and families, school budgets are under extreme pressure, LAs face increased expectations, reducing budgets and High Needs’ deficits - the result a perfect storm.  With a 47% increase nationally in EHCPs over four years, you can see why requests are being turned down, particularly if there is not a PD professional to advocate for the learner and family.  As an organisation it is important that pdnet tracks the data through the annual school census and raises the issue through national fora with the DfE, WSS, National SEND Forum, NAHT etc.

Thank you so much for your replies, I really appreciate you taking the time to respond.

I have noted all the comments down and you all make great points. Kim- I agree that the D has disappeared and EHCPs because of physical disability are turned down frequently through lack of awareness of the law around EHCPs and PD, this too is my experience and I will be talking about this. Max you make a great point about life long conditions, not something I thought to take forward and the I will definitely discuss this. Jane again thank you,  I will discuss funding and resources and the difficulties all round. Thank you so much, I really appreciate your comments. The meeting is at 12 so hope I do a good job representing and making them aware of the issues.

I hope it goes well! In my previous post we were aware that pupils with progressive conditions would need an EHCP, but we tried to make sure they got them at the right time, so that they had plenty of independent learning opportunities and didn’t have a full time TA too soon!

Thank you for your input everyone. The meeting went well and I said everything I possibly could have said! I was happy I got all the important points across.

Glad it went well, Joanne.