As part of our ongoing series exploring how parent carer voices are shaping the future of SEND services in Leeds we’re looking at Education, Health and Care Plans. EHCPs are a vital part of getting the right support in place for children and young people, and families have been open and honest with us about their experiences.
Here’s what parent carers in Leeds have shared with us, what has already changed, and what’s planned next.
What families have told us
Parent carers have raised several concerns about the EHCP process. Families have told us that:
- The application process can feel unclear and confusing
- Waiting times for assessment are long
- Communication is often poor, and some casework officers are not consistently confident in law and practice
- Outcomes within EHCPs are not always consistent
- Health and Care should have the same emphasis as Education within plans
- Children and young people are not routinely involved in their own plans and often don’t have a full understanding of them
These issues have a real impact on families, which is why sharing this feedback has been so important.
What has already happened
Your voices have helped highlight where improvements are needed. Several changes have already taken place, including:
- A Communications and Resolutions Officer joined the SENSAP Team in June 2025
- Additional resources have been secured to expand the number of EHC assessments that can be commissioned
- A new mediation provider is now in place, offering videos and online tools to help families better understand the EHCP process
- A focused discussion on EHCP’s took place at the September 2025 Voice, Influence and Transparency group meeting
- We have hosted a coffee morning with officers from SENSAP, where parents could ask questions directly.
- We have hosted an EHCP coffee morning with a specialist solicitor at Irwin Mitchell to offer advice and guidance
- As part of our work with the SEND & AP Partnership Board, we will be working as part of a focus group looking specifically at communication and how information is shared with families.
Future plans
There is more work ahead, and parent carer feedback will continue to shape the next phase of improvements. Upcoming plans from Leeds City Council include:
- A pilot communication study to strengthen and speed up communication between the Local Authority and schools
- A new annual professional development cycle for casework officers to ensure they have the right skills and knowledge to support families
- Co production of a communication charter within the service
- Further development of the QA framework to improve the overall quality of EHCPs
- Additional recruitment planned
Why your feedback matters
The changes already underway show the real impact of parent carer voices in Leeds. By continuing to share your experiences, you’re helping shape services so that they better meet the needs of children and young people.
While we know there isn’t a quick fix for the concerns parent carers have raised with us, we want to reassure you that we’re continuing to work closely with services to highlight where change is needed, and to challenge them to make those changes happen.