Timpson tells local authorities to slow down and focus on quality

Edward Timpson MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and Families, has written an open letter addressed to all local authority chiefs about the current transition from Statement of SEN to Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP).

The Children and Families Act 2014, along with regulation and guidance, has meant that Statements are slowly being phased out and replaced with EHCPs. Guidance has set out expectations and requirements for when various groups should make the transition.

Local authorities have also been asked to prepare their own specific timetables for transition. Many local authorities have prepared timetables which have meant that they will need to complete at least 10 transitions per working day. That means 10 full EHC needs assessments taking place every day.

From the outset of his letter Mr Timpson stresses that local authorities must place the wishes, feelings and aspirations of parents or young people at the fore of the process of transition. He has also highlighted to local authorities that further funding will soon be available to enable the transition process to take place effectively and efficiently.

Within his letter, Mr Timpson has set out to local authorities that the following categories of children are the only ones that need to make the transition from Statements to EHCP this academic year:

• Young people prior to transferring from school to a post-16 institution or an apprenticeship (in Year 11);
• Young people who are moving to further education colleges; and
• Children and young people in pathfinder areas who have non-statutory Education, Health and Care Plan (i.e. those who were issued with an EHCP before 1 September 2014).

I will certainly be keeping hold of this letter and would suggest parents should think about doing so. It is valuable as it reiterates the principles that must be applied and that experts must be providing new advice unless parents, local authorities and experts all agree it is not necessary.

If you have any concerns that your transition has not taken full account of guidance, reference to this letter should be drawn. You may also want to take independent advice.