Norfolk SEND Joint Strategic Needs Assessment
Why Norfolk's SEND system is under pressure
Children and young people in Norfolk are facing growing challenges when it comes to getting the support they need for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This is due to a mix of national issues and local factors that are unique to Norfolk.
What's driving the increase in needs?
Covid-19 Impact
Many children are struggling more with mental health, speech, language, and communication. This has led to a rise in support needs, especially for:
- SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health)
- SLCN (Speech, Language and Communication Needs)
More EHCPs
Norfolk has seen a sharp increase in Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), especially for SEMH and SLCN. This rise is bigger than in similar areas, suggesting deeper challenges.
Small rural schools
Norfolk has many small primary schools, especially in rural and coastal areas. These schools often have fewer resources and may struggle to offer specialist support. They may also face financial pressures.
This can lead to:
- More requests for EHCPs
- Higher rates of exclusions
- More children being educated at home
School places and provision
- Fewer children attend state-funded special schools.
- There's more reliance on independent and alternative provision.
- This mix makes it harder to offer consistent support across Norfolk.
Transport barriers
- Long journeys and high travel costs make it harder for some children to get to school.
- This can lead to children missing education or being educated at home.
- Some professionals feel an EHCP is the only way to secure the right support. Norfolk has a higher rate of EHCP requests than other areas, even though the number of approved plans is similar. This suggests that professionals feel limited by the support available without a plan.
Recording and diagnosing needs
- SEMH is often used as a 'catch-all' category when children's needs are complex or not yet diagnosed.
- Some children with undiagnosed autism may be recorded under SEMH.
- Norfolk's data shows SEMH often overlaps with other needs.
Social and economic factors
Norfolk has higher rates of:
- Declared disability
- Children in low-income households
- Mental health hospital admissions
What this means
Norfolk's SEND system is under pressure. Fixing it will take a joined-up approach across schools, services, and communities.
