Essex SEND families hit out amid EHCP delays

Freedom of Information data obtained by this newspaper shows that 49 of the 290 Education, Health and Care Plans issued in August met the legal 20-week deadline - 17 percent.

This comes amid renewed efforts by Essex County Council to clear its shrinking backlog.

Outstanding assessments fell from 2,007 in March 2025 to 47 in September this year, dropping nearly 98 per cent.

But families are still waiting far longer than the 20-week deadline. The average wait was 54 weeks and two days in 2025/26, up from 44 weeks and six days in 2023/24.

Essex made national headlines as England’s worst-performing local authority for EHCP timeliness two years ago. In March 2024, just one of 169 plans met the 20-week deadline.

Performance improved but has since stalled, leaving parents across the county seeking accountability.

Sarah, a former secondary school teacher, said securing support for her 10-year-old son had become "like having a second full-time job".

She said: “I had to leave teaching because trying to juggle my son’s needs, the EHCP process and a full-time career was impossible.”

It has taken seven years to get her son’s diagnosis, and Sarah fears the delays now threaten his move to secondary school.

"Every professional has told me my son cannot cope in a mainstream secondary school," she said.

"But because his EHCP has not been finalised, I’m forced to apply for mainstream places.”

Sarah has visited seven schools but not found one which meets her son’s needs.

“My hands are tied because the process is so far behind,” she added.

"This whole process is incredibly stressful – you are constantly jumping through hoops and hitting a brick wall.”

Sarah says families’ experiences are “unacceptable” and is calling for accountability.

“These are our children's futures we are talking about – something has to change” she said.

NHS nurse Ines Nunes says she is in “survival mode” after spending more than two years seeking support for her six-year-old daughter.

"Children and families are suffering because of the council's incompetence," Mrs Nunes, from Broomfield, said.

Struggle - Ines Nunes says she has been in 'survival mode' for the last two years. (Image: Submitted)

"If we fail to meet our targets in the NHS, we are held accountable, so why isn’t the local authority being held accountable for repeatedly missing its EHCP deadlines?

"The council is there to help you, but I feel like they're an enemy at this point."

Marketing professional Krystle Coe feels she is “fighting a war all the time” to secure support for her 4-year-old son.

"The way my son is being treated is despicable," she said.

"It's heartbreaking that he doesn't get the support he needs."

Her son previously attended school for just two hours and 45 minutes a day, but his EHCP assessment application was refused.

"School staff and I were stunned when it was declined - our jaws hit the floor," she said.

Ms Coe said the ordeal had left her exhausted.

"I haven't got much fight left in me anymore, it's so frustrating,” she said.

Struggle - Krystle Coe says it feels like she is 'fighting a war'. (Image: Ben Shahrabi)

After more than a year fighting for support, and a new EHCP application, she fears her son is being left behind.

"He's missing out on so much,” Ms Coe said.

“It’s not fair.”

A joint Ofsted and Care Quality Commission inspection in January found EHCP timeliness in Essex remained “poor”.

They warned delays were causing “inconsistent experiences and outcomes” for SEND children.

Essex County Council has pledged to clear the remaining backlog.

A spokesperson said: “We are unable to comment on individual cases. However, the pressures on the SEND system are unfortunately recognised as a national challenge.

"This is highlighted in our latest inspection report, and we are taking steps improve outcomes for children and families. This includes tackling EHCP delays.

"As part of our 100-Day Plan, we launched Operation Backlog to address this very issue. All cases in the backlog are progressing through the assessment process."