(UK) Norfolk: Demand for special needs plans "fast rising"

Dec 4, 2017, (UK) Norfolk Eastern Daily Press: Number of parents referring children on for extra support in Norfolk soars http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/education/number-of-norfolk-parents-referring-children-for-ehcp-soars-1-5307305 The plans are a formal acknowledgment of a child’s special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), a document which, up to the age of 25, lays out their difficulties - and what support they need. For families of children with complex needs, they have become the holy grail - a mark of confidence that, in an education system in which every penny counts, a child will be given the support they need. And demand is fast rising. Norfolk County Council says they are likely to near, or reach, 1,000 new referrals for plans by the end of the year - a peak. Last year, the figure hovered around the 820s, and sat at a steady 650 for several before that. It’s not an easy rise to explain. In 2014, EHCPs replaced statements of need, and expanded the age range from statutory school years to include early years and those up to 25. Michael Bateman, head of education inclusion service in the council’s children’s services team, said: “We expected there would be growth from the change, but we do feel there’s quite a bit of work to do to understand it fully.”