Education, health and care plans
Reporting year 2024

Description

This document describes the data included in the Education, health and care (EHC) plans National Statistics release’s underlying data files. This data is released under the terms of the Open Government License and is intended to meet at least 3 stars for Open Data. The methodology document should be referenced alongside this data. It provides information on the data sources, their coverage and quality as well as explaining methodology used in producing the data.

Coverage

This release provides information on the EHC plan process including:

- number of active EHC plans at January of the calendar year
- number of new EHC plans in the previous calendar year
- the administration of requests for assessments for an EHC plan

The information is based on local authority level data collected via the SEN2 data collection. The underlying data files include national, regional and local authority level data.

File formats and conventions

The dataset and outputs have not had suppression or rounding applied

The following convention is used throughout the underlying data.

z - Not applicable

x - unavailable

Data files

All data files associated with this releases are listed below with guidance on their content. To download any of these files, please visit our data catalogue (https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-catalogue/education-health-and-care-plans/2022).

Data files

New plans - Age groups

Filename: sen2_age_new_plans.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2009 to 2023
Content summary: The number of children and young people with a new EHC plan which started during the calendar year, broken down by age band.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name      |  Variable description
-----------------  |  -------------------------------
age                |  Age group - Filter by age group
ehcp_or_statement  |  EHCP or statement
num_new_plans      |  Number of plans
pc_new_plans       |  Percentage of plans

Footnotes:

1. From 2023, the data collection changed from aggregated figures at local authority level, to a person level collection. This has been a major change in approach and as such care should be taken with comparisons across this period. Further detail on the change is provided in the publication and supporting methodology.
2. This data item has been marginally impacted by reporting issues in some local authorities – please see the methodology for further information.


New plans - characteristics

Filename: sen2_characteristics_new_plans.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2022 to 2023
Content summary: The number of children and young people with a new EHC plan which started during the calendar year, broken down by characteristic - includes sex and ethnicity.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name  |  Variable description
-------------  |  -------------------
breakdown      |  Breakdown
num_new_plans  |  Number of plans
pc_new_plans   |  Percentage of plans

Footnotes:

1. From 2023, the data collection changed from aggregated figures at local authority level, to a person level collection. This has been a major change in approach and as such care should be taken with comparisons across this period. Further detail on the change is provided in the publication and supporting methodology.
2. Data on ethnicity and gender has been collected from 2023 only.
3. This data item has been marginally impacted by reporting issues in some local authorities – please see the methodology for further information.
4. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) uses the terms "ethnicity major" and "ethnicity minor" to categorize responses from the UK Census. Here's a brief explanation:Ethnicity Major: This refers to the broader ethnic group categories that people identify with. For example, "White," "Asian," "Black," "Mixed," and "Other" are considered ethnicity major categories1.Ethnicity Minor: These are the more specific sub-categories within the major ethnic groups. For instance, within the "Asian" major category, you might have sub-categories like "Indian," "Pakistani," "Bangladeshi," and "Other Asian".


New plans - Establishment type

Filename: sen2_estab_new_plans.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2009 to 2023
Content summary: The number of children and young people with a new EHC plan which started during the calendar year, broken down by type of establishment attended.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name       |  Variable description
------------------  |  ----------------------------------------------------
ehcp_or_statement   |  EHCP or statement
establishment_type  |  Establishment type - Filter by type of establishment
num_new_plans       |  Number of plans
pc_new_plans        |  Percentage of plans

Footnotes:

1. From 2023, the data collection changed from aggregated figures at local authority level, to a person level collection. This has been a major change in approach and as such care should be taken with comparisons across this period. Further detail on the change is provided in the publication and supporting methodology.
2. The method for collecting data on establishments has changed from previous years. Previously, local authorities provided data on the number of EHC plans where the child or young person was attending through a set list of establishment types. From 2023, information on the specific establishment has been recorded, with the Unique Reference Number (URN), UK Provider Reference Number or where neither are applicable, a specific category recorded. As a result of this change, caution should be taken when comparing across years by establishment types.
3. This data item has been marginally impacted by reporting issues in some local authorities – please see the methodology for further information.


Caseload - Age groups

Filename: sen2_age_caseload.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2010 to 2024
Content summary: The number of children and young people with an EHC plan as at January each year, broken down by age band.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name      |  Variable description
-----------------  |  -------------------------------
age                |  Age group - Filter by age group
ehcp_or_statement  |  EHCP or statement
num_caseload       |  Number of cases
pc_caseload        |  Percentage of cases

Footnotes:

1. From 2023, the data collection changed from aggregated figures at local authority level, to a person level collection. This has been a major change in approach and as such care should be taken with comparisons across this period. Further detail on the change is provided in the publication and supporting methodology.
2. Some detailed information such as establishment type and characteristics are not available for some LAs, denoted by 'x' in the data. These breakdowns will therefore not sum to the total number of plans.
3. This data item has been marginally impacted by reporting issues in some local authorities – please see the methodology for further information.


Caseload - characteristics

Filename: sen2_characteristics_caseload.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2023 to 2024
Content summary: The number of children and young people with an EHC plan as at January, broken down by characteristic - includes sex and ethnicity.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name  |  Variable description
------------  |  -------------------
breakdown     |  Breakdown
num_caseload  |  Number of cases
pc_caseload   |  Percentage of cases

Footnotes:

1. From 2023, the data collection changed from aggregated figures at local authority level, to a person level collection. This has been a major change in approach and as such care should be taken with comparisons across this period. Further detail on the change is provided in the publication and supporting methodology.
2. Some detailed information such as establishment type and characteristics are not available for some LAs, denoted by 'x' in the data. These breakdowns will therefore not sum to the total number of plans.
3. Data on ethnicity and gender has been collected from 2023 only.
4. This data item has been marginally impacted by reporting issues in some local authorities – please see the methodology for further information.
5. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) uses the terms "ethnicity major" and "ethnicity minor" to categorize responses from the UK Census. Here's a brief explanation:Ethnicity Major: This refers to the broader ethnic group categories that people identify with. For example, "White," "Asian," "Black," "Mixed," and "Other" are considered ethnicity major categories1.Ethnicity Minor: These are the more specific sub-categories within the major ethnic groups. For instance, within the "Asian" major category, you might have sub-categories like "Indian," "Pakistani," "Bangladeshi," and "Other Asian".


Caseload - Establishment type

Filename: sen2_estab_caseload.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2010 to 2024
Content summary: The number of children and young people with an EHC plan as at January, broken down by type of establishment attended.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name       |  Variable description
------------------  |  ----------------------------------------------------
ehcp_or_statement   |  EHCP or statement
establishment_type  |  Establishment type - Filter by type of establishment
num_caseload        |  Number of cases
pc_caseload         |  Percentage of cases

Footnotes:

1. From 2023, the data collection changed from aggregated figures at local authority level, to a person level collection. This has been a major change in approach and as such care should be taken with comparisons across this period. Further detail on the change is provided in the publication and supporting methodology.
2. Some detailed information such as establishment type and characteristics are not available for some LAs, denoted by 'x' in the data. These breakdowns will therefore not sum to the total number of plans.
3. The method for collecting data on establishments has changed from previous years. Previously, local authorities provided data on the number of EHC plans where the child or young person was attending through a set list of establishment types. From 2023, information on the specific establishment has been recorded, with the Unique Reference Number (URN), UK Provider Reference Number or where neither are applicable, a specific category recorded. As a result of this change, caution should be taken when comparing across years by establishment types.
4. Following further data checks, it is believed that the data for SEN units and resourced provision is likely to be under reported for 2023, due to issues including data collection and availability.
5. This data item has been marginally impacted by reporting issues in some local authorities – please see the methodology for further information.


Designated medical and clinical officers

Filename: sen2_dmo_dco.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority
Time period: 2017 to 2024
Content summary: Data on whether a local authority area has a Designated Medical Officer (DMO) or Designated Clinical Officer (DCO) in place on census day.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name   |  Variable description
--------------  |  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
dco             |  Designated clinical officer in place (Yes/No/Recruiting)
dmo             |  Designated medical officer in place (Yes/No/Recruiting)
dmodcofunction  |  Person performing role of designated medical/clinical officer in place (Yes/No/Recruiting)

Footnotes:

1. From 2023, the data collection changed from aggregated figures at local authority level, to a person level collection. This has been a major change in approach and as such care should be taken with comparisons across this period. Further detail on the change is provided in the publication and supporting methodology.
2. Data collected until 2022. No further data from 2023


Residential settings - EHCPs and statements

Filename: sen2_residential_statements.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2017 to 2024
Content summary: The number of children and young people in residential settings, by the duration of setting and age group.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name      |  Variable description
-----------------  |  -----------------------------------
age                |  Age group - Filter by age group
ehcp_or_statement  |  EHCP or statement
num_children_yp    |  Number of children and young people
weeks              |  Number of weeks


Initial requests, assessments, discontinued plans, 20 week timeliness, mainstream to special transfers, mediation and tribunals

Filename: sen2_mi.csv
Geographic levels: Local authority; National; Regional
Time period: 2014 to 2023
Content summary: Data on initial requests for assessment, assessments for an EHC plan, discontinued plans, 20 week timeliness and mediation and tribunals.

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable name                      |  Variable description
---------------------------------  |  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ass_nodecision                     |  Number of children and young people assessed who are still being assessed or where assessment has been completed but no decision taken for a statement of SEN
ass_nodecision_ehc                 |  Number of children and young people assessed who are still being assessed or where assessment has been completed but no decision taken for an EHC plan
ass_none                           |  Number of children and young people assessed for whom it was decided not to issue a statement of SEN
ass_none_ehc                       |  Number of children and young people assessed for whom it was decided not to issue an EHC plan
ass_none_ehc_pc                    |  Percentage of children and young people assessed during the calendar year for whom it was decided not to issue an EHC plan
ass_refused                        |  Number of initial requests for assessment for a statement of SEN that were refused
ass_refused_ehc                    |  Number of initial requests for assessment for an EHC plan that were refused
ass_refused_ehc_pc                 |  Percentage of initial requests for assessment for an EHC plan that were refused during the calendar year
assessment_mediation               |  Decision to issue a plan was referred for mediation
assessment_tribunal                |  Decision on whether to issue a plan was the subject of an appeal to tribunal
assessment_w                       |  Assessments withdrawn
assessments                        |  Total number of assessments undertaken
direct_pay_education               |  Number of personal budgets in place that have direct payment for education
direct_pay_health                  |  Number of personal budgets in place that have direct payment for health
direct_pay_integrated              |  Number of personal budgets in place that have direct payment for an integrated payment
direct_pay_socialcare              |  Number of personal budgets in place that have direct payment for social care
discontinued_abroad                |  EHC plans discontinued - has moved outside of England
discontinued_age                   |  EHC plans discontinued - reached maximum age
discontinued_deceased              |  EHC plans discontinued - deceased
discontinued_employment            |  EHC plans discontinued - moved on to paid employment excluding apprenticeships
discontinued_engage                |  EHC plans discontinued - young person no longer wishes to engage in education or training
discontinued_he                    |  EHC plans discontinued - moved on to higher education
discontinued_lea                   |  Number of children and young people with a statement of SEN discontinued as transferred to another LA
discontinued_lea_ehc               |  EHC plans discontinued - transferred to another LA (compulsory school age)
discontinued_lea_noncomp           |  EHC plans discontinued - transferred to another LA (non-compulsory school age)
discontinued_left                  |  Number of children and young people with a statement of SEN discontinued because pupils have left school at the end of compulsory schooling or after
discontinued_left_ehc              |  EHC plans discontinued - pupils have left school at the end of compulsory schooling or after (pre-2022 only)
discontinued_met                   |  Number of children and young people with a statement of SEN discontinued as special needs being met without an EHC plan
discontinued_met_ehc               |  EHC plans discontinued - special needs being met without an EHC plan (compulsory school age)
discontinued_met_noncomp           |  EHC plans discontinued - special needs being met without an EHC plan (non-compulsory school age)
discontinued_other                 |  Number of children and young people with a statement of SEN discontinued for other reasons
discontinued_other_ehc             |  EHC plans discontinued - other reasons (compulsory school age)
discontinued_other_noncomp         |  EHC plans discontinued - other reasons (non-compulsory school age)
discontinued_total                 |  EHC plans discontinued - Total
discontinued_unknown               |  EHC plans discontinued - no reason given
inc_exc_20week_ehc                 |  Timeliness - Number of EHC plans including exceptions issued within 20 weeks
inc_exc_20week_rate                |  Timeliness - Rate of EHC plans including exceptions issued within 20 weeks
inc_exc_26week                     |  Timeliness - Number of new statements including exceptions issued within 26 weeks
inreq_ehc                          |  Number of initial requests for an EHC plan
inreq_ehc_a                        |  Initial requests for assessment - ongoing
inreq_ehc_w                        |  Initial requests for assessment - withdrawn
inreq_ehc_y                        |  Initial requests for assessment - decision to assess
inreq_rya_ehc                      |  Number of initial requests for an EHC plan when detained in youth accomodation
mainstream_to_home                 |  Number of children and young people with a statement of SEN who were taken out of school by their parents to be home educated from mainstream settings
mainstream_to_home_ehc             |  Number of children and young people with an EHC plan who were taken out of school by their parents to be home educated from mainstream settings
mainstream_to_special              |  Number of children and young people with a statement of SEN who transferred from mainstream to special settings
mainstream_to_special_ehc          |  Number of children and young people with an EHC plan who transferred from mainstream to special settings
new_all_ehc                        |  Number of children and young people assessed for whom an EHC plan was issued
new_all_ehc_ass_none_ehc_sum       |  Number of children and young people assessed for whom a plan was issued and those for whom one not issued
new_all_ehc_pc                     |  Percentage of children and young people assessed for whom EHC plans were made for the first time during the calendar year
no_exc_20week_ehc                  |  Timeliness - Number of EHC plans excluding exceptions issued within 20 weeks
no_exc_20week_rate                 |  Timeliness - Rate of EHC plans excluding exceptions issued within 20 weeks
no_exc_26week                      |  Timeliness - Number of new statements excluding exceptions issued within 26 weeks
org_arrangements                   |  Number of personal budgets in place that have organised arrangements
other_mediation                    |  Mediation for any reason other than the decision not to assess or the decision not to issue a plan
other_tribunal                     |  Tribunal for any reason other than the decision not to assess or the decision not to issue a plan
personal_budgets                   |  Number of personal budgets in place for all EHC plans
request_mediation                  |  decision to assess was referred for mediation
request_tribunal                   |  decision to assess was the subject of an appeal to tribunal
special_to_home                    |  Number of children and young people with a statement of SEN who were taken out of school by their parents to be home educated from special settings
special_to_home_ehc                |  Number of children and young people with an EHC plan who were taken out of school by their parents to be home educated from special settings
special_to_mainstream              |  Number of children and young people with a statement of SEN who transferred from special to mainstream settings
special_to_mainstream_ehc          |  Number of children and young people with an EHC plan who transferred from special to mainstream settings
statements_no_ehc                  |  Number of children and young people with statements who were assessed for an EHC plan and a decision not to issue an EHC plan made
statements_to_ehc                  |  Number of children and young people with statements who were issued with an EHC plan
tot_inc_exc                        |  Timeliness - Number of new statements including exceptions
tot_inc_exc_ehc                    |  Timeliness - Number of EHC plans including exceptions
tot_no_exc                         |  Timeliness - Number of new statements excluding exceptions
tot_no_exc_ehc                     |  Timeliness - Number of EHC plans excluding exceptions
total_mediation                    |  Number of mediation cases that have been held
total_tribunal                     |  Total tribunals
total_tribunal_followed_mediation  |  Number of mediation cases that have been held which were followed by appeals to the Tribunal
total_tribunal_pc                  |  Percentage of mediation cases held which were followed by appeals to tribunal

Footnotes:

1. From 2023, the data collection changed from aggregated figures at local authority level, to a person level collection. This has been a major change in approach and as such care should be taken with comparisons across this period. Further detail on the change is provided in the publication and supporting methodology.
2. Data on ceased plans changed from 2023 to include a more comprehensive set of reasons for plans ending. Data was collected for all plans that ended. Prior to 2023, data on ceased plans only covered children of compulsory school age and care should be taken when comparing across this period.
3. Data on movements between different setting types is not yet available for the 2022 and 2023 calendar year. This is expected to be added to the latest publication in a future update.
4. Timeliness figures are based on assessments completed within the calendar year where no mediation or tribunal has taken place.
5. This data item has been marginally impacted by reporting issues in some local authorities – please see the methodology for further information.
6. For 2024, figures include 501 requests for an EHC plan assessment for Hackney, however some details and further breakdowns are not available for the majority of these requests.
