Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that Education, Health and Care Plans include (a) measurable and (b) enforceable targets.

Local authorities must ensure that education, health and care (EHC) plans comply with the Children and Families Act 2014 and the special educational needs and disability (SEND) code of practice.

The code states that EHC plans must detail the outcomes sought for the child or young person. These should be specific and measurable, and the plan should be used to monitor a child or young person’s progress towards them and their longer term aspirations.

Plans must be reviewed by the local authority at a minimum every 12 months.

Reviews must consider whether the outcomes and supporting targets remain appropriate and may include setting new interim targets for the coming year or agreeing new outcomes.

Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission carry out joint inspections of area SEND arrangements. These will consider the effectiveness of local SEND arrangements, including whether children and young people with SEND are well prepared for their next steps.

Where a local authority does not meet its duties, the department can take action that prioritises children’s needs and supports local areas to bring about rapid improvement.