Kent's SEND System Under Pressure: Why Parents Must Carefully Check Every Draft EHCP
If you're a parent navigating the SEND system in Kent, you're probably already aware that securing the right support for your child can feel overwhelming.
Many families contact me after receiving a draft Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) that doesn't appear to reflect the professional evidence they submitted. Others have experienced long delays, refused assessments or disagreement over specialist placements.
It's easy to assume that if the local authority has issued a draft plan, everything important must already be included.
Unfortunately, that isn't always the case.
Why is Kent under so much pressure?
For several years, Kent County Council has been under significant pressure to manage rising demand for SEND services alongside a substantial high-needs funding deficit.
Kent entered the Government's Safety Valve programme, receiving additional funding in return for implementing a financial recovery plan designed to bring its SEND spending onto a more sustainable footing.
Although the national Safety Valve programme has now ended, the challenges facing Kent's SEND system have not disappeared overnight. Rising demand, increasing numbers of EHCPs and pressure on specialist school places continue to create an extremely challenging environment.
That doesn't mean every decision is financially driven.
It does mean that parents should understand the importance of ensuring their child's EHCP is accurate, detailed and legally enforceable before it becomes final.
Why the Draft EHCP Matters
One of the biggest misconceptions I see is parents believing they should wait until the Final EHCP before challenging anything.
In reality, the draft is often the most important stage in the entire process.
Once Kent issues your Draft EHCP, you have at least 15 days to comment, request amendments and ask for your preferred school or college.
This is your opportunity to correct problems before they become embedded in the final plan.
What I Look For in Kent Draft EHCPs
Every Draft EHCP is different, but there are certain issues I regularly look for.
1. Needs missing from Section B
Professional reports may identify:
sensory processing difficulties
executive functioning difficulties
emotional regulation
communication needs
anxiety
social interaction difficulties
Yet some of these needs never make it into Section B.
If a need isn't properly described, there is a real risk that the provision to meet that need will also be missing.
2. Vague Section F wording
This is probably the most common issue I encounter.
Parents often receive wording such as:
"Regular access to adult support."
"Opportunities for small group work."
"Support available as required."
On the surface this sounds reassuring.
The problem is that it often leaves huge room for interpretation.
A strong Section F should explain clearly:
what support is required;
who will provide it;
how often;
for how long;
in what setting; and
with what level of expertise.
The clearer the wording, the easier it is to ensure the provision is actually delivered.
Section I: School Placements
Many Kent parents ask me whether they can request a specialist school.
The answer is yes.
However, the argument isn't won simply because a specialist school would be better.
It has to be supported by the evidence throughout the EHCP.
That's why I always review:
whether Section B accurately reflects the child's needs;
whether Section F specifies the provision required;
whether mainstream education can realistically deliver that provision; and
whether the requested placement follows logically from the evidence.
A strong placement argument begins long before Section I.
Financial Pressure Doesn't Change Your Child's Rights
Kent, like many local authorities, continues to operate under considerable financial and operational pressure.
However, those pressures do not change the legal framework.
Every EHCP must still be based on the individual needs of the child.
If provision is necessary to meet those needs, the law requires it to be properly specified and secured.
Parents should never assume that because something has been omitted from a draft, it cannot be included.
Why Independent Reviews Matter
Most parents receive a Draft EHCP only once or twice in their lives.
Local authorities deal with them every day.
That difference in experience matters.
Having someone independently review the draft before it becomes final can identify issues that are very easy to miss, including:
missing needs
unsupported conclusions
vague wording
inconsistent professional evidence
provision that doesn't match recommendations
weaknesses in placement arguments
These are often much easier to resolve during the draft stage than after the Final EHCP has been issued.
How I Can Help
I previously worked within Local Authority SEND services and high-needs commissioning, giving me an understanding of how EHCPs are developed and how decisions are made.
My Draft EHCP Review isn't simply a proofread.
I compare your Draft EHCP against the professional reports, identify missing needs and provision, highlight wording that may need strengthening, and explain where amendments should be requested before the Final EHCP is issued.
Where appropriate, I also assess whether the evidence supports your preferred school placement and identify areas where further evidence may strengthen your case.
Don't Miss Your Opportunity
The draft stage is often the best opportunity to improve an EHCP before it becomes final.
If you've received a Draft EHCP from Kent County Council and you're unsure whether it properly reflects your child's needs, now is the time to review it carefully.
I'll help you identify what's missing, explain what should be challenged, and ensure you're making the strongest possible representations within the consultation period.