A reflection on our progress so far with EHCP Plus

By Sarah Warren, Former EHCP Plan Writer and Caseworker

As I reflect on the journey of the EHCP Plus AI tool, I am incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved. When we first started developing this tool, we set out with a clear vision: to empower caseworkers in local authorities (LAs) and free up some of their time by streamlining the process of creating Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs). At the time, we knew there was an enormous amount of time spent on EHC Plan writing which could be used to focus on the children and families who needed support. We aimed to make a tangible difference to SEND Departments by harnessing the power of Generative AI, while also ensuring that the Caseworker or EHC Plan writer remained central to the process.

In the early stages, it was all about building relationships with our partner local authorities and getting constant feedback on the direction of the tool, on our approach and on the user experience. In fact, the development of EHCP Plus was driven by feedback from caseworkers, SEND teams, and other professionals involved in the process. We spent countless hours ensuring that the AI would complement, rather than replace, the critical work done by caseworkers. As we iterated and improved, we saw how AI could reduce administrative load, enhance the consistency of EHCPs, and help caseworkers clear backlogs. The true test came when we piloted the tool with a small group of LAs, and the results were even better than we had hoped, showing us that we were on the right track.

By tailoring to each LA’s EHC Plan template and incorporating council-specific formatting, terminology, and section requirements, the tool ensures that every draft aligns with each individual local authority style and format. The tool also enhances clarity, consistency, and accuracy across plans by not only ensuring the formatting and style is matched every time, but also ensuring that all information is captured and no information is missed from the professional reports. It also ensures a lack of repetition. The result is a more efficient, much quicker drafting process and higher-quality plans that clearly reflect the needs of the child and views of the parents and professionals and the outcomes and provision to be in place. It is evident when reading our outputs that the golden thread of information is clear and strong throughout each plan.

EHCP Plus is making a real difference in the lives of both caseworkers and the families they serve. With each new LA that adopts the tool, we continue to learn, grow, and refine our offering. The progress we’ve made, from conception to a trusted solution being used by many LAs, is a testament to the hard work and collaboration of everyone involved. It’s an exciting time, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished so far and where we’re headed next.

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