Lancashire's special needs targets are not being met

Nearly a quarter of support plans for young people with special educational needs in Lancashire were not dealt with in the legal time limit last year, latest figures reveal.
County Councillor Phillipa WilliamsonCounty Councillor Phillipa Williamson
County Councillor Phillipa Williamson

Data from the Department for Education shows that just under three quarters of 1,005 new education, health and care plans issued in Lancashire in 2019 were processed within 20 weeks, meaning 253 people waited longer than the legal time limit.

However, this is higher than the national average but fewer than the previous year, when when 83 per cent were dealt with in the 20-week time frame

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Councils draw up EHC plans to explain the extra help required by someone with special educational, health and social care needs.

They were introduced in 2014 to replace statements for people with special educational needs and disability (SEND), and can be given to someone from their birth, up to the age of 25.

County Councillor Phillippa Williamson, cabinet member for children, young people and schools, said: "More than 74 per cent of our EHC plans were completed on time last year in Lancashire, which is higher than the national average.

"Working closely with families, we are constantly striving to improve the quality of our plans so we ensure the right support is in place for children with special educational needs and disabilities.'

Nationally, 60 per cent of EHC plans are completed on time compared to 74 per cent in Lancashire.