EHCP Backlog Cambridgeshire 2026-03-02
2026-03-02
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Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Cambridgeshire faces significant challenges with its education, health, and care plan backlog, affecting many families and children.
What steps is the Department taking to tackle the EHCP backlog in Cambridgeshire? The EHCP backlog in Cambridgeshire is a significant challenge, with some children waiting up to nearly two years for an EHCP after a needs assessment. I am due to meet Cambridgeshire county council to discuss this issue.
The Department is providing targeted help for Cambridgeshire, including a specialist SEND adviser and sector-led improvement support. We are actively monitoring Cambridgeshire's recovery plan to reduce EHCP backlogs. We are putting £200 million directly into councils as part of the schools White Paper to support their capacity, and we will monitor this closely.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific advice to Cambridgeshire county council on how the SEND White Paper will help reduce EHCP backlog
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Cambridgeshire faces significant challenges with its education, health, and care plan backlog, affecting many families and children. Constituents have been waiting up to nearly two years for an EHCP.
The EHCP backlog in Cambridgeshire is a significant challenge. I appreciate what the Minister said about the help that is currently in place. However, I am struggling to see where the immediate impact will come. I had a letter from a constituent at the weekend who thanked me for helping her child get an EHCP after 74 weeks. What advice can the Minister give Cambridgeshire county council on how the SEND White Paper will help it get on top of the EHCP backlog?
The timeliness of EHCPs has been unacceptable, and we are taking this seriously. We are putting £200 million directly into councils as part of the schools White Paper to support their capacity. We will be monitoring this closely.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific advice to Cambridgeshire county council on how the SEND White Paper will help reduce EHCP backlog
Response accuracy