Safety Valve Report – High-Level Overview

1. EHCP Numbers and Trends

• Current Position: As of the latest update, there are 1,576 EHCPs in the system, with 34 more to be issued (from February to April) and only 10 to be ceased. This will bring the total to 1,600, which is a return to the high numbers seen at the end of 2022—a concerning trend for reporting to the DfE.
• Statutory Assessment Requests: The DSG management plan aimed for 15 new requests per month, but the actual average is 27. About 60% of these requests result in new plans. The rate of requests is not decreasing, and the number of plans being ceased is not keeping pace.
• Early Intervention: An “early next step” meeting has been introduced before statutory assessment requests, but this has not yet reversed the trend.

2. Financial and Compliance Risks

• DSG Management Plan Submission: The next submission is due on 29 May. There is heightened scrutiny from the DfE, and five local authorities have already had payments suspended for not meeting their plans.
• Enhanced Management: Some LAs placed on enhanced management (with monthly meetings) still failed to meet requirements and had payments stopped.
• Wider Context: All local authorities are facing similar challenges, especially regarding the lack of financial support from health partners for EHCPs.

3. Health Funding and ICB Involvement

• ICB Funding Issues: There has been no funding from ICB colleagues for the past two years, despite pre-proceedings letters and ongoing discussions. A meeting with ICB is scheduled, and a clear position is being presented to secure funding for children with complex needs.
• Regional Approach: The aim is to establish a consistent pathway across Devon, Plymouth, and Torbay, matching the ICB footprint, to avoid further financial deficits while this is being developed.

4. Cessation Work and Parental Confidence

• Annual Reviews and Ceasing Plans: The local authority is scrutinising annual reviews to identify plans that can be ceased. However, due to deadline changes and legal requirements, reporting on ceased plans is delayed.
• Parental Confidence: Feedback from SENCOs highlights that parental confidence in the system is low, which drives up requests for statutory assessment. Communication efforts are being planned to address this.

5. Rising Needs and Systemic Pressures

• Speech and Language Needs: Forecasts suggest 40% of 0–9-year-olds will have speech and language needs, but there are not enough therapists to meet demand. Schools are under financial pressure and have fewer staff to support children, increasing reliance on statutory assessments.
• Funding Per Pupil: Local funding is lower than in some other areas, compounding the challenge.

6. Data and Monitoring

• Dashboard Development: A robust dashboard has been developed to track needs by area, age group, and other factors. This has been useful in Ofsted and CQC engagement and will be brought to future meetings for more detailed analysis.

Key Insights and Implications

• The system is under significant strain, with EHCP numbers rising and insufficient cessation of plans.
• Financial risk is increasing due to potential loss of DfE payments if targets are not met.
• There is a critical need for health partners (ICB) to contribute funding.
• Parental confidence and systemic pressures (staffing, funding, rising needs) are major factors.
• Improved data tracking is helping, but more action and partnership working are needed.