Education authorities across England are managing a significant surge in applications for Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) support, as new figures reveal a record number of active support plans. Data from the Department for Education shows there were 718,800 active Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) in England as of January 2026, marking a 12.5% year-on-year increase.
The rise comes amid a period of transition as the government shifts towards earlier intervention in mainstream schools. This approach is intended to provide support before a child’s needs escalate to the level of a statutory legal document.
West Sussex strategy 2026-2030
In response to reforms, West Sussex County Council (WSCC) has launched its own SEND Strategy 2026-2030. Led by Councillor Jacquie Russell, the cabinet member for children and young people, the council is positioning itself to manage the local surge in EHCP requests while transitioning towards new national standards.
The council’s strategy mirrors the move towards earlier mainstream intervention, intended to manage demand while ensuring support is available for those with the most intensive needs.
For families in Bognor and the wider county, current EHCPs remain legally binding. Official guidance indicates that no changes to existing EHCP support will take place before at least September 2030, providing a degree of stability for children already within the system.
Performance and timeframes
Despite the rising demand, the statutory timeframe for local authorities to issue a new EHCP remains fixed at 20 weeks. Meeting this target has proven challenging nationwide, according to official education statistics.
The government aims to alleviate this pressure by focusing on support in mainstream classrooms. The goal is to reduce the reliance on legal plans by ensuring schools are better equipped to handle diverse needs without the requirement for a formal EHCP in every instance.
Parents seeking guidance on how these changes might affect their children are encouraged to consult the West Sussex SEND Local Offer, which provides regional details on the transition to the 2026-2030 strategy.