Somerset Council has unanimously backed a cross-party motion calling for urgent action to improve delays in Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments (EHCNAs), with the Leader of the Council seconding the Conservative-led proposal.
The motion, proposed by Councillor Faye Purbrick and seconded by Councillor Bill Revans, recognises that Somerset Council is currently failing to meet its statutory duty to complete EHCNAs within 20 weeks and calls for targeted investment to improve performance.
Current figures show Somerset is performing significantly below the required standard and comparative neighbouring authorities, such as Wiltshire Council, with only 0–5% of assessments completed within the statutory timeframe in recent periods and average waiting times reaching around 47 weeks. Hundreds of children are currently waiting beyond the legal deadline for support.
The motion requests that the Executive bring forward funding of approximately £1.3 million to £1.4 million over 12 months to support additional Educational Psychology, SEND casework and business support capacity. Officer modelling suggests this investment could eliminate the current backlog within a year and improve timeliness towards 40%.
Councillor Faye Purbrick said:
“Meeting EHCP timelines is essential to ensure young people receive the education and support they need to thrive and, in this regard, time is truly of the essence.
We have all heard heartbreaking stories from parents and young people left waiting for assessments and support. What those families need now is action, not just words. Any delay in moving forward with these proposals should be kept to an absolute minimum, let’s get on with it.”
Councillor Connor Payne said:
“As someone working day-to-day in a mainstream secondary school, I see the impact these delays are having on children, families and staff. Teachers are doing everything they can, but without timely EHCPs and proper support in place, too many Somerset children are being left waiting far too long for the help they are legally entitled to.”
Councillor Suzy Hart said:
“Having worked in SEND education for more than 30 years, I know just how difficult it can be for children and families to access the support they desperately need. This motion sends a clear message that Somerset Council recognises every child matters and that every child deserves the opportunity to achieve and thrive.”
Councillor Diogo Rodrigues, Leader of the Conservative Opposition at Somerset Council, said:
“We have been clear for some time that Somerset’s performance on EHCP timeliness is not good enough and that children and families have been waiting far too long for the support they need.
At Full Council, Conservatives previously put forward proposals for additional investment into SEND services, including Educational Psychology support, which sadly did not receive backing at the time. However we are pleased that work has continued within the service and that we are now able to support this important investment on a cross-party basis."
