Shaping the Future of EHCPs: Benefits and challenges of a national or regional template

Shaping the Future of EHCPs: Benefits and challenges of a national or regional template

In our recent Invision360 hosted webinar, we brought together SEND professionals from local authorities, schools, and the wider sector to explore one of the most pressing issues in SEND reform: the future of Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) templates.

The discussion centred on whether a national or regional template could improve consistency and quality, while still protecting the personalised, child-centred focus that EHCPs are meant to deliver.

Our Founder and CEO, Philip Stock, opened the session, framing it as part of our ongoing mission to strengthen knowledge-sharing across the SEND community. The topic of EHCP templates had been chosen by attendees in a previous webinar, reflecting its growing importance in policy and practice.

Speaker Insights

Dr. André Imich OBE – Former DfE SEN and Disability Advisor

• Traced the history of statutory templates, noting that England once had a single national template for SEN statements (1981–2014) before the Children and Families Act introduced local flexibility.
• Highlighted challenges with today’s 150+ different formats, including missing sections, inconsistent labelling, and lack of specificity in provision.
• Emphasised strong support for a standardised template: “Of all the Green Paper proposals, this one got the most agreement across the sector”
• Outlined potential benefits: greater clarity, portability when children move, improved collaboration across agencies, and reduced administrative burden.
• Stressed that any change must be backed by clear guidance, exemplars, and training—and warned against repeating the mistakes of the 2014 statement-to-EHCP conversion process.

Abigail Hawkins – Founder of Sensible SENCO and SENCO Solutions

• Spoke from a school and SENCO perspective, describing the daily frustration of navigating vastly different EHCP formats: “Sometimes I spend 10 minutes just trying to find Section F.”
• Argued that standardisation would bring clarity for parents, equity across regions, and efficiency for schools.
• Proposed three essentials:
  1. Common sections (needs, outcomes, provision, responsibilities, reviews)
  2. Shared language and terminology
  3. Interoperable data that integrates with school MIS and other systems
• Emphasised that standardisation does not mean “copy and paste,” but rather a clear framework that still allows personalisation.
• Called for EHCPs to be “living documents, not dusty relics”, actively used by teachers, families, and professionals.

Invision360’s contribution

• Philip Stock closed by connecting the discussion to Invision360’s work on quality assurance and digital innovation.
• Introduced VITA, a generative AI tool designed to support local authorities in drafting higher-quality, more consistent EHCPs while freeing up staff to focus on co-production and family engagement.
• Shared sector insights from Ofsted, the Education Committee, and the SEND Change Programme, all pointing to an urgent need for greater consistency without diluting legal entitlements.

Key takeaways

1. Consistency matters – A national or regional template could reduce the postcode lottery and make EHCPs clearer and more portable.
2. Personalisation must be protected – Templates should be a framework, not a straitjacket, preserving individuality and person-centred planning.
3. Implementation is crucial – Training, exemplars, and careful planning are needed to avoid past mistakes.
4. Digital tools can help – Technology like Invision360’s VITA can complement professional expertise, reduce admin burden, and improve quality.

Missed the session or want to revisit key points? Access the full recording and slide deck.

💡 Invision360 remains committed to supporting SEND professionals with insight, collaboration, and practical solutions. For more events and resources, visit our Insights page.