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Tools that compare EHCP quality between local authorities give the evidence and direction to make rapid improvements
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Comparison is the thief of joy. Well, we have to disagree.
Tools that compare EHCP quality between local authorities (LA) give the evidence and direction that LA SEND teams need to make rapid improvements.
The number of EHCPs has increased by 140% in the last 9 years. Local and national SEND systems can’t meet the growing demand, increased complexity and urgency of the EHC Plans.
The result, a SEND system that is not fit for purpose.
Local authorities have the statutory duty to ensure all children and young people in their area receive the support they need. With budget deficit pressures, limited workforce capacity and uncertainty in future reform plans, LA SEND teams are making long-term changes to how they address EHCP quality.
How are local authorities making evidence-based decisions to improve their systems?
Through quality assuring their EHCPs (from information collection point all the way through to draft versions), and, of course, the topic of this article – EHCP benchmarking between LAs.
Before we dive into the reasons why benchmarking has been highlighted in recent reports on SEND support quality and provision, it is important to clarify what we mean by ‘benefits’.
The phrasing benefits of benchmarking for LA SEND teams can easily be misunderstood as a ‘nice to have.’
To clarify, local and national SEND systems are at crunch points. The ‘benefits’ LA SEND teams experience due to effective benchmarking equip them with the evidence, accountability and direction needed to improve their SEND provision.
With 31% of those local areas inspected by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) between January 2023 and March 2024 found to have ‘widespread and/or systemic failings’, the need for rapid improvement is a non-negotiable.
Back in 2023, we published our popular blog ‘7 key benefits of benchmarking for local authorities’. Our benchmarking feature was just about to go live across all Invision360 improvement modules.
2 years on, we’re addressing the benefits benchmarking has once again– this time with more impact evidence under our belt.
The 7 key benefits we mentioned in our initial blog covered:
Benchmarking qualities of EHCPs and their creation helps LA SEND teams to improve their practice, share their achievements with senior leaders and demonstrate to external inspectors that early-stage improvements are visible.
In a nutshell, the current SEND systems lack visibility, evidence and purposeful use of evidence. This applies to both local and national SEND systems– but not through lack of trying.
Local authorities have limited levers when it comes to implementing quality SEND provision into schools. Although LA SEND teams have statutory responsibility for the support SEND children receive, they are one cog in a huge SEND system.
Funding deficits, local area SEND inspection processes, the scarcity of education, health and care professionals, and EHCP timeline pressures all contribute to the top challenges LAs face when improving their SEND provision.
Let’s look at the benefits on offer for LAs when they benchmark their current EHCP audits against others.
Benchmarking tools like the EHCP QA module provide LA SEND teams with structured, real-time data on the quality and completeness of EHCPs.
By making this data easily accessible, teams can conduct in-depth assessments, identifying key trends, common issues, and areas where improvements are needed in comparison to other local SEND teams.
This level of insight helps SEND professionals ensure compliance with legal frameworks and enhances the overall quality of EHCPs, leading to better outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
Data-driven decision-making is essential for local authorities managing SEND services, particularly in an era of increasing financial pressures with strategic overrides coming to an end in March 2026.
Benchmarking enables LA SEND team leaders to make informed choices about budget allocations, workforce capacity, and training needs.
By identifying inefficiencies and areas requiring additional resources, these tools help ensure that spending is targeted where it has the greatest impact, improving service delivery and long-term sustainability.
Maintaining high standards in EHCPs is a key priority for LAs, as inconsistencies can lead to delays and poor outcomes for children and young people.
The process of benchmarking allows SEND teams to assess the quality of their EHCPs against recognised national standards.
Providing clear metrics on performance. By embedding these quality assurance mechanisms, LAs can hold themselves accountable for continuous improvement while ensuring they meet legal obligations and best-practice guidelines.
The DfE, Ofsted, and the CQC have consistently emphasised the need for continuous improvement in SEND services.
Benchmarking supports this objective by offering structured insights that enable teams to track progress over time, identify best practices, and implement targeted interventions (like using the tools for tailored CPD plans).
Effective SEND service delivery relies on strong collaboration between local authorities, schools, health services, and families.
Benchmarking fosters transparency by providing a shared framework for assessing EHCP quality and performance, helping to build trust among stakeholders.
Tools that support benchmarking also enable local authorities to coordinate joint initiatives such as shared training programs, which improve efficiency and reduce costs.
By using benchmarking insights to inform future planning, LA SEND teams can make cost-effective decisions that enhance service quality while ensuring financial sustainability– which we know is going to be an on-going hot topic for local area SEND inspections.
Invision360 empowers local authority SEND teams by providing benchmarking tools that compare their current SEND provision against both local and national standards.
This gives team leaders clear direction and tangible evidence for improvement– critical for authorities identified as below Ofsted and CQC’s expectations for effective SEND services.
Our tools simplify the process of SEND documentation, reducing administrative tasks through tools that streamline EHCP reviews, collate professional advice, and track progress seamlessly.
Book a free demo today to learn more about how we can help your local authority SEND team.
We’re committed to innovation and continuously integrate the latest best practices, including our AI-driven solution (VITA),to enhance efficiency.
One of Invision360’s standout features is our exceptional customer support. We offer simple onboarding processes, hands-on training, and fast implementation to ensure immediate impact.
By maximising improvement while minimising setup time, our modules deliver value for money, helping local authorities enhance the quality and accountability of their SEND provision.
Want to see what our recently onboarded local authority SEND teams say about us? Checkout a selection of our favourite case studies.
The author:
Philip Stock, CEO and Founder of Invision360, leveraged his background as a Principal Educational Psychologist and Head of SEND and Inclusion Services to address challenges in SEND quality assurance. In 2021, he established Invision360 to develop technological solutions that enhance efficiency, quality, and outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
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