Figures released under Freedom of Information rules show 351 EHCP assessment cases in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole have exceeded the legal 20 week deadline, with one current wait now at 226 weeks. Hundreds of EHCP assessment cases in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole have passed the legal deadline. A response to a Freedom of Information request says BCP Council has 655 open EHCP assessment cases and 351 cases have gone beyond the 20 week legal limit, which applies to the process for completing a plan. The longest current wait has reached 226 weeks, which is more than four years, an
Hundreds of EHCP assessment cases in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole have passed the legal deadline.
A response to a Freedom of Information request says BCP Council has 655 open EHCP assessment cases and 351 cases have gone beyond the 20 week legal limit, which applies to the process for completing a plan.
The longest current wait has reached 226 weeks, which is more than four years, and 187 overdue cases are still waiting for statutory advice from educational psychologists before the assessment can move forward.
Councillor Richard Burton, BCP Council's cabinet member for children, young people, education and skills, said the council was sorry that too many children, young people and families were "waiting longer than they should" for assessments.
He said active EHCPs in the BCP area more than doubled between 2020 and 2026 and accepted current performance was "not good enough" as demand for SEND services had risen nationally.
The council says it has called on the government to overhaul the system while also improving its service, listening to families and partners, and increasing capacity with external support where appropriate.
