A challenging backlog of EHCP assessments which we reduced through our network, with efficiency and proactivity.
Brief
A County Council had a major challenge on their hands, a lack of capacity to carry out statutory assessments needed for Education Health Care Plans for pupils within a catchment area of 210 schools across the county. The whole problem was exacerbated by the shortage of EPs across the county which whilst large, is sparsely populated.
Without urgent intervention and support, the Council were going to seriously struggle to meet their obligations on timescales for statutory assessments.
Action
We got to work immediately. We knew we would also be challenged by the shortage of EPs across the county, so we widened the net. Using a range of resources and our own network, we proactively approached EPs in neighbouring counties and around the UK who weren’t averse to a longer travel time, even overnight stops. We put together a team of 5 EPs and then arranged IT training for them at the Council’s offices prior to any assessments taking place. Once the EPs were set up we then worked on the assessment schedule needed to meet the demands of the backlog.
Outcome
We are delighted to say that the outcome was a great result for the children awaiting assessments and a great relief to the Council that they had delivered on their requirements and commitments to the families in their care.
Our team of EPs efficiently and professionally worked through the backlog at a rate of two a day to significantly reduce it. In six months, we carried out 150 assessments.
Feedback
The Council have given us exceptional feedback about our work and indicated this has been the start of a close and longer-term working partnership. We are delighted to have earned the position as their number one preferred supplier for EP services, a reflection of the value we brought and quality of service we provided.
“Psychology Direct have been providing Educational Psychologist services in the form of statutory assessments for Norfolk CC since May 2019 and their reports have been invaluable in helping us provide quality EHC Plans for children, young people and families ……..”
- Stephen Higgins, Principal Educational Psychologist - Norfolk County Council