Improving EHCP Delivery: How Equinox Helps Local Authorities Stay Compliant and In Control
Demand for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) is rising fast. In England, there are now over 638,000 active EHCPs and numbers grow every year.
Local authorities face mounting pressure to meet statutory timescales, manage complexity and maintain quality – all against workforce shortages and tight budgets.
At Equinox, we help councils regain control through structured, specialist-led delivery that strengthens systems, people and outcomes.
Why EHCP Delivery Is Under Pressure
SEND teams are stretched. Common challenges include:
- Surges in EHCP requests
- Statutory 20-week deadlines missed
- Annual reviews slipping
- Rising parental dissatisfaction and tribunal appeals
Nationally, compliance with the 20-week deadline is below 50%, while 98% of appeals are upheld. High-needs budgets continue to escalate, leaving many councils with growing deficits.
This isn’t about commitment – it’s about capacity and expertise.
The Cost of Delayed or Poorly Written EHCPs
When teams are overstretched, quality suffers. Poor plans can be:
- Over-specified or misaligned with need
- Hard to defend at tribunal
- Financially unsustainable
Missed reviews and outdated provision increase costs and erode trust. Getting EHCPs right first time is essential.
Our Approach: Structured, Specialist Delivery
No two authorities are the same. We design tailored solutions with:
- Strong leadership and governance
- Robust quality assurance
- Transparent reporting
Our role is to actively manage delivery, improve performance and ease pressure on your teams.
How We Support Backlog and Review Projects
For authorities facing large backlogs, we deploy scalable teams, typically including:
- A Project Manager – to drive KPIs, compliance and quality.
- EHCP Case Workers – to clear cases efficiently while maintaining standards.
- Educational Psychologists – to deliver defensible, evidence-based assessments.
Built-In Quality and Assurance
- Real-time data analysis and audits
- Regular performance reviews
- Independent SEND interim reviews every quarter
Flexible, Scalable and Low Risk
- Scale up or down as demand shifts
- 30-day notice period
- Educational Psychologists costed separately for transparency
EHCP delivery isn’t just about deadlines – it’s about outcomes, budgets and confidence.
