Release date: 24 February 2025
You may have recently seen stories in the national and local press about the pressures on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services across the country, including here in West Sussex. These stories paint a difficult picture for families requiring SEND support, and I know that many families in the county are understandably feeling frustrated. The scale of the challenge we face at West Sussex County Council cannot be underestimated, and there are no easy solutions. However, we are not shying away from tackling these issues - and while there is still a long way to go, real progress is being made.
Steps in the right direction
Demand for SEND support in West Sussex is rising, needs are becoming more complex, and budget pressures continue to make the situation all the more difficult. But we are rising to these challenges. In our SEND Improvement Plan, launched in partnership with NHS Sussex in September 2024, we set out a framework for improving the quality of services for children with SEND. We’re already seeing areas of progress here, and we’re committed to making sure every child and young person with SEND gets the support they need to thrive.
Making EHCP Assessments Work Better
Since 2019, the number of Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) assessments we’ve completed has increased by over 60%, which shows how demand for support has grown and gives some idea of the kind of pressure on our services.
One of our main goals has been to improve the EHCP assessment process so families can get the right support when they need it, and we are seeing things getting better here. The latest figures show that more EHCP assessments are being completed, and they’re being processed faster. In December 2024 we had 9,254 children with a finalised EHCP, an increase of 1,565 since December 2023. I’d like to praise the hard work and dedication of our staff here, who continue to work exceptionally hard with children, families and schools to undertake assessments to create good quality plans. The number of assessments being carried out within 20 weeks is increasing month-on-month and the average number of weeks taken to complete an assessment is also reducing steadily.
These positive steps are the result of initiatives like better staff training and more streamlined processes; examples of our Improvement Plan in action. By making the system clearer and more efficient, we hope to build trust with families who rely on these essential services.
Expanding specialist education options
Another challenge is the increasing demand for specialist education in West Sussex, which is much higher than the national average. To help meet this demand, we’re working to increase SEND support in mainstream schools, giving them the tools and expertise to better support pupils with SEND. In some cases, special schools will work with mainstream schools to share their expertise, helping to create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment.
That said, we know that some children need the specialised support that only a special school or independent setting can provide and this will not change. Our priority is not to cut costs, but to always to do what’s best for each child.
Looking ahead: a new five-year SEND & Inclusion Strategy
As part of our long-term commitment to improving SEND services, we’re developing a new five-year Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) & Inclusion Strategy, launching in September 2025. This will set out our vision for SEND services in West Sussex and outline what needs to be done to achieve it.
To make sure this strategy reflects the needs of the community, we’re asking residents to share their views. Families, professionals, and young people all have the chance to help shape the future of SEND services in our county by taking part in a consultation on the council’s website.
Staying committed to improving SEND services
Like councils across the country, we’re facing increasing demand for SEND provision. While we’re encouraged by the progress so far, we know there’s still a lot more to do. Our commitment remains strong: every child and young person with SEND in West Sussex should get the support they need to reach their full potential.
We’re always looking at the best ways to tackle these challenges and make the most of our resources. This includes working closely with partners and driving change through initiatives like the Delivering Better Value Programme and the Department for Education’s SEND and Alternative Provision Change Programme.
Being open and honest with families is really important to us, which is why we’re making it easier for people to access key SEND data on our website. Keeping parents and carers informed and involved will help us build a stronger, more supportive SEND system together.
As we move forward with our SEND Improvement Plan, we remain focused on making real, positive changes that benefit children, young people, and families across West Sussex. By working together with partners, such as NHS Sussex and the Parent Carer Forum, we can create a system that delivers the high-quality support our SEND community needs and deserves, giving everybody the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
