Priority 2 - high quality, person-centred planning
Improving children and young peoples outcomes through the quality, effectiveness and impact of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and annual reviews
2.1) Where we are now: The partnership does not yet consistently secure and apply high-quality education, health and care advice through assessment, EHCP planning and annual review processes. This results in variation in the quality of EHCPs, the effectiveness of annual reviews and the extent to which plans drive improved outcomes for children and young people.
What we will do:
- establish and embed a partnership-wide framework that ensures education, health and care partners provide high-quality advice which clearly informs EHCP needs, outcomes and provision, and supports effective implementation
- strengthen the role of schools and education settings in developing, implementing and reviewing high-quality EHCPs through sector-led improvement, peer moderation and supported challenge
Outcomes:
- children and young people receive coordinated support that is informed by high-quality education, health and care advice, with EHCPs clearly identifying needs, outcomes and provision that lead to improved progress, participation and preparation for adulthood
- EHCPs contain clear, measurable outcomes and are used to drive progress, inclusion and positive experiences
- families are engaged through meaningful and standardised coproduction with relevant professionals as part of the EHCP development process
- schools and settings consistently contribute to high-quality EHCPs and annual reviews that drive improved outcomes for children and young people
Success measures:
- increasing proportion of EHCPs meet agreed quality standards
- increasing proportion of annual reviews completed within statutory timescales
- positive feedback from families regarding the quality and impact of EHCPs and annual reviews
- co-production approaches are embedded and prioritised across the partnership
- reduction in variation in EHCP quality between schools, settings and phases
- children, young people and families report that EHCP outcomes reflect what matters to them and support meaningful progress towards their aspirations
2.2) Where we are now: Partnership arrangements do not consistently secure timely, high-quality contributions to annual reviews or ensure that EHCPs are amended promptly following review, limiting the effectiveness of plans in responding to changing needs and aspirations.
What we will do:
- introduce a partnership performance framework to monitor annual review completion, amendment timescales and outcomes
- establish clear expectations and escalation routes for non-submission of annual review advice by partner agencies
- strengthen partnership accountability for annual reviews and plan maintenance
- strengthen oversight of annual review recommendations and actions to ensure plans are amended promptly where required
Outcome: Education, health and social care partners fulfil their responsibilities consistently, resulting in timely annual reviews and effective maintenance of EHC plans, ensuring support for children and young people remains responsive to their needs, aspirations and desired outcomes.
Success measures:
- reduction in variance between audit outcomes for annual reviews across schools, phases and sectors
- increased proportion of annual reviews evidencing progress against outcomes
- reduction in overdue amendments following annual review
- increasing proportion of annual reviews where health and social care advice is submitted within agreed timescales
2.3) Where we are now: The quality of outcomes within EHCPs is variable, particularly within health and social care sections, limiting the partnership's ability to measure progress, demonstrate impact and assure effective support.
What we will do:
- deliver a multi-agency workforce development programme focused on outcomes, co-production, person-centred planning and annual reviews
- use data, audit findings and stakeholder feedback to drive continuous improvement
Outcome: Professionals across education, health and social care consistently develop ambitious, specific and measurable outcomes that enable progress to be effectively monitored.
Success measures:
Increasing proportion of;
- EHCP outcomes rated specific, measurable and aspirational
- reviews containing all required professional contributions
- audited EHCP outcomes where health and social care advice clearly informs outcome development and provision planning
- children and young people demonstrating progress against EHCP outcomes
2.4) Where we are now: Partnership oversight arrangements for children and young people with the most complex needs in out of area placements are not consistently defined, leading to variation in coordination, accountability and continuity of support.
What we will do: Develop and implement a partnership protocol defining lead professional responsibility, decision-making arrangements, review frequency, escalation processes and accountability for children and young people with the most complex needs.
Outcomes:
- children and young people experience coordinated support with clear professional oversight, reducing fragmentation and ensuring greater accountability for outcomes
- children in care and those experiencing significant transitions receive seamless support and timely decision-making regarding their EHCPs
Success measures:
- protocol agreed and implemented across the partnership
- increased proportion of children with identified lead professional arrangements are in place
- positive feedback from families regarding coordination of support
- reduction in cases where professional responsibilities are unclear