(UK) Leeds: Only 10 percent of SPED plans delivered on time; "increasing demand for care plans"

June 11, 2026, Frustration as less than 10% Leeds school care plans delivered on time - Leeds Live

The council is under scrutiny following significant delays in producing education plans for children with special needs.

Families have been left exasperated after only 7.4 per cent of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) were completed within a 20-week deadline. The plans are created to ensure pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) receive the support they require.

Performance data was disclosed in a report which revealed increasing demand for care plans across the Leeds City Council area. Helen Hayden, Labour's executive member for children and families, said: "We are seeing good progress in a number of key areas.

A scrutiny meeting heard that 7,847 children and young people had an EHCP at the end of March, representing a 24.1 per cent rise on the previous year. Some 476 EHCPs were finalised in the first three months of this year, 169 more than the corresponding period in 2025.

However, only 7.4 per cent of EHCPs issued between January and March were delivered within the 20-week statutory timeframe. Labour councillor Andrew Scopes, who represents Beeston and Holbeck, said: "The 7.4 per cent is a real problem.

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"It's not like we need a little bit of improvement. This should be 100 per cent."

Coun Scopes said families were distressed by the delays following earlier assurances that the system would be enhanced. He said: "Is the plan to get on top of this credible?"

Coun Hayden confirmed the council was collaborating with schools to assist children awaiting EHCPs. She told the meeting: "It's a deep frustration and not acceptable."

Coun Hayden explained the council initially attempted to address the backlog by prioritising those who had been waiting longest. However, two distinct teams were now managing the backlog of existing cases alongside new referrals for care plans.