How Wigan Council transformed EHCP Quality Assurance: Achieving more audits with strategic data insights

The problem

Wigan Council's SEND Service faced significant challenges in maintaining quality assurance across their 2,700+ Education Health and Care Plans with just nine SEND team members.

Key challenges:

• Limited audit capacity: Traditional in-person panel meetings restricted the volume of EHCPs that could be quality assured simultaneously with only a sample of plans quality assured in this time
• Intermittent reporting: Inconsistent data collection provided insufficient depth for meaningful analysis
• Lack of systematic approach: Without structured processes, identifying areas for improvement and measuring impact was nearly impossible
• Scheduling constraints: Physical meeting requirements created inflexibility around day-to-day commitments
• Insufficient data granularity: Unable to drill down to specific EHCP sections to pinpoint exactly where improvements were needed

"Before using Invision360, reporting was intermittent, and the information we had did not allow us to drill down far enough. We needed to put in place a far more systematic process that would lead to a rich data set." - Hayley Jackson, SEND Service Manager

The Solution

Wigan Council implemented Invision360's EHCP Quality Assurance module to establish a comprehensive, systematic approach to EHCP auditing and quality improvement.

Features:

• Virtual audit capabilities: Eliminated the need for physical meetings, enabling flexible scheduling around operational demands
• Systematic auditing framework: Structured approach with clear processes and established three-cycle annual schedule
• Section-by-section analysis: Granular review capability allowing detailed examination of specific EHCP sections to analyse ‘where and why’ EHCPs need improving
• Integrated data collection: Real-time data capture and analysis built into the auditing process
• Learning and development: The EHCP improvement feedback feeds into learning and development of staff to support the preparation of good quality EHCPs

The Impact

• 3x audit capacity increase: Established three audit cycles per year with targeted training follow-up
• Rich data set: With a higher volume of plans now being quality assured a rich data set is available to benchmark and evidence improvements
• Systematic routine: Transformed auditing from ad-hoc activity to integrated daily practice
• Streamlined processes: Simplified complex auditing procedures with intuitive, structured approach with an easy-to-follow processes and a clear focus
• Section by section review: Ensuring plans have all information from contributing teams

Strategic data insights:

• Rich, actionable datasets: Comprehensive data enabling evidence-based decision making
• Granular analysis capability: Section-by-section breakdown identifying specific improvement areas
• Benchmarking foundation: Robust data foundation for measuring and evidencing improvements and against surrounding areas
• Strategic reporting: Simple, clear information sharing with Council leadership

Quality improvement outcomes:

• Targeted staff development: Learning and development for staff directly informed by audit findings
• Evidence-based training: Clear identification of where development is required
• Improved EHCP quality: Systematic approach driving measurable plan improvements
• Better outcomes for children: Enhanced plan quality directly benefiting young people and families‍
• Clear quality standards: Teams now understand what 'good' and 'outstanding' EHCPs look like

"The EHCP audit tool is enabling us to take a systematic approach to auditing. We use the data retrieved through the tool to analyse 'where' and 'why' EHCPs need improving." - Hayley Jackson, SEND Service Manager

Ready to transform your EHCP quality assurance process? Discover how Invision360's QA module can deliver systematic improvements and strategic insights for your SEND service.