Norfolk SEND survey results 2023 summary
Views on education, health and care plans
Parents/carers
59% of parents/carers who responded to the survey had a child with an education, health and care (EHC) plan.
50.8% of parents/carers said their child's EHC plan made a positive difference to their lives. They said:
- Everyone is clear about my child's needs (63%)
- My child is making good progress (57%)
- My child has the support described in their plan (56%)
- My child is happier in their learning (49%)
- Their needs are now being met (47%)
Only 18% of parents/carers said they found it easy to contact the EHC plan team via the telephone number. 36% of parents/carers were unaware of the number. 16% of parents/carers said the number was not easy to use. 30% of parents/carers were not using the number.
Over 45% of parents/carers mentioned issues with the service received from the EHCP team - these were often linked to a lack of communication.
Other parents/carers do not feel involved in the EHCP process and are frustrated that the whole process takes so long and is a challenge.
Provision was mentioned 40% of the time by parents/carers; a lack of appropriate provision, child being in the wrong provision, provision not meeting needs or a fight to get the right provision.
Find help: Find information and guidance on the EHC plan process including timelines and how to contact the EHC plan team. You can also give specific feedback online on EHC plans.
SEND professionals
50% of the professionals who completed the survey had made a request for an Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment.
Of those who had requested an EHC needs assessment; 91% had actively considered how the child's needs could be met without an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan.
Various reasons for making a request for an EHC needs assessment were given, but the most common reason was unable to meet need at SEN Support.
Find help: All SEND professionals are welcome to attend our SEND forum for SEND professionals. You can also find SEND training for professionals.