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The current approach to EHCP quality assurance often resembles firefighting—reactive, resource-intensive, & ultimately unsustainable
The statistics are stark. In 69% of Area SEND inspections, the quality of Education, Health and Care Plans has been flagged as requiring improvement. For 71% of local areas receiving the most serious inspection outcome, EHCP quality represents a priority action. These aren't just numbers on a spreadsheet—they represent thousands of children whose life chances hang in the balance.
As senior leaders in SEND, we face a fundamental question: How did we get here, and more importantly, how do we chart a different course?
The current approach to EHCP quality assurance often resembles firefighting—reactive, resource-intensive, and ultimately unsustainable. Local areas find themselves caught in a perpetual cycle:inspection pressure leads to intensive quality reviews, which consume enormous resources, deliver temporary improvements, then gradually decline as attention shifts elsewhere.
This pattern reveals a deeper truth: traditional quality assurance methods weren't designed for the scale and complexity of today's SEND landscape. With EHCP numbers having risen by over 140% in the past decade, the artisanal approach to quality review—skilled practitioners manually reviewing plans one by one—simply cannot keep pace.
The most successful local areas share common characteristics in their approach to EHCP quality:
Strategic leadership: They view quality assurance asa strategic function, not an administrative task. Senior leaders champion quality improvement and resource it appropriately.
Systematic thinking: Rather than focusing solely on individual plan quality, they examine systemic patterns—where quality breaks down, why inconsistencies emerge, and how processes can be refined.
Data-driven improvement: They leverage technology to scale quality assurance, using data analytics to identify trends, target interventions, and measure impact over time.
Cultural transformation: They recognise that sustainable improvement requires shifting from a compliance mindset to a quality culture.
Digital transformation in SEND quality assurance isn't about replacing professional judgement—it's about amplifying it. Advanced audit tools can aid in quality assuring plans consistently, identifying patterns in the data collection. This creates space for professionals to focus on what they do best:developing nuanced, personalised interventions.
Digital and scalable systems allow SEND teams to:
- Audit plans with consistency across large volumes
- Benchmark performance over time
- Identify systemic gaps
- Provide targeted feedback to writers and professionals
- Track improvement and impact
The most sophisticated systems go beyond simple compliance checking. They evaluate the quality of person-centred planning, assess whether outcomes are ambitious yet achievable, and determine if provision is clearly linked to need with the golden thread. They can identify when a child's voice is genuinely reflected in their plan versus when it's been retrofitted to meet requirements.
Local areas that have embraced systematic approaches to quality improvement report remarkable transformations recognised by Ofsted and CQC:
These examples share a common thread: leadership teams that viewed quality challenges as strategic opportunities rather than operational problems.
The path forward requires a fundamental shift in how we conceptualise EHCP quality assurance. Instead of viewing it as a necessary burden, progressive leaders are recognising it as a strategic capability that drives system-wide improvement.
This transformation demands:
Investment in infrastructure: Quality assurance systems that can operate at scale, providing consistent evaluation across hundreds of plans.
Professional development: EHCP writers need clear quality standards, regular feedback, and opportunities to develop their expertise in person-centred planning.
Cultural change: Moving from a deficit model("what's wrong with this plan?") to a growth model ("how can we help this child achieve their aspirations?").
Strategic patience: Understanding that sustainable improvement takes time, but that early investment in robust systems pays dividends across multiple inspection cycles.
The current pressure on SEND systems, while challenging, presents an unprecedented opportunity for transformation. Local areas that act strategically now—investing in robust quality assurance tools, developing their workforce capabilities, and embedding quality thinking into their organisational DNA—will emerge stronger and more resilient.
The choice facing SEND leaders is clear: continue the exhausting cycle of reactive firefighting, or invest in the systematic approaches that create lasting change. The children and families we serve deserve nothing less than our commitment to getting this right.
The question isn't whether change is needed—the inspection data makes that abundantly clear. The question is whether we have the strategic vision and professional courage to pursue the transformation our most vulnerable children deserve.
Explore the Invision360 EHCP QA Module to support your local area’s quality assurance and inspection readiness:
- Pre-inspection data-rich reports that local authorities can share with inspectors to evidence improvements in EHCP quality.
- Moderation support to ensure consistent internal judgements
- Training and up skilling for EHCP writers and QA leads
- Benchmarking and longitudinal data to track improvement
- Co-production insight to ensure the child and family voice is heard
Together, we can raise the standard of EHCPs — one plan at a time.
At Invision360, we believe that EHCPs are not just documents; they are lifelines — especially for those whose needs are too often overlooked.
Our vision is clear: “All children with an EHCP have a high-quality plan that accurately reflects their individual needs and facilitates the achievement of positive life outcomes.” This child-centred approach underpins everything we do.
Our passion stems from personal experience. Members of our team have lived through the complexities of navigating specialist education pathways with their own children — journeys that have shaped our deep commitment to driving systemic improvement. We bring together extensive SEND expertise with the latest in AI technology to develop practical, focused solutions that serve the child first and foremost.
