Somerset Conservatives have raised alarm over growing delays in SEND phase transfer reviews, warning that too many children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) are being left without timely transition arrangements when moving between schools.
The concerns were raised by Councillor Diogo Rodrigues, Leader of the Opposition at Somerset Council, during a meeting of the Council’s Executive Committee on 6 May.
Children with EHCPs require phase transfer reviews when moving from primary to secondary school or into post-16 education, to ensure support and placements are in place before the new school year begins.
Speaking at the meeting, Councillor Rodrigues said:
“We are all very aware of the dreadful backlog of initial EHCP needs assessments in Somerset. I am concerned about the EHCP reviews that are required to support students’ phase transfers so that their placements for the following September can be settled, and appropriate and timely transition arrangements can put in place beforehand.”
Somerset Council admitted during the meeting that performance had worsened in 2025/26, with the number of outstanding phase transfers increasing.
Councillor Diogo Rodrigues said:
“Behind every delayed review is a child and a family facing uncertainty about their future education and support. These are some of the most vulnerable children in Somerset and families deserve confidence that the system will support them properly during important transitions in their education."
Somerset Conservatives say they will continue pressing the Council for transparency around SEND performance and improvements to statutory EHCP timescales.
