From 7263fa4823a2c979801517438a192013a959bae5 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Andy Jones Design and development tools
Design and development tools
Data and sustainability
digital
products.
To support the family hubs digital project, we are looking to recruit and provide funding to up to 5 - new - local - authorities for 2 digital pilot opportunities. You can apply if you are interested in either:
-If you are from an interested local authority, you can find - out more about the pilots and how to apply. The closing date for applications is 23:59 on 19 - February - 2024.
-Alternatively, if you want to contact us directly and obtain a copy of the application form and - guidance, - send an - email to digital.familyhubs@education.gov.uk. -
- -12 October 2023
+28 March 2024
14 November 2023
+11 April 2024
The DfE have made a commitment in the The Department for Education (DfE) have made a commitment in the SEND and alternative provision improvement plan to support further - digitisation of the EHCP process.
-Following a discovery in summer 2023 to understand the benefits, barriers and limitations of the - digitisation of the EHCP process, we are moving into alpha.
+ class="govuk-link">SEND and alternative provision improvement plan to support further digitisation of the EHCP processes. +We carried out a discovery phase in summer 2023 to understand the benefits, barriers and limitations of the EHCP digitisation process. Following a subsequent alpha phase, we are now moving into our beta phase.
- -An EHCP is a legal document for an individual child or young person (aged 0-24 years) with special - educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
-The EHCP includes:
+ + +Phase | +Start | +End | +
---|---|---|
Discovery | +May 2023 | +June 2023 | + +
Alpha | +October 2023 | +February 2024 | +
Beta | +February 2024 | +March 2025 | +
The guidance will be co-produced with local authorities (LAs), Integrated Care Board professionals, software suppliers and wider stakeholders in the sector. This is to ensure that children and young people gain the most benefit from digitisation.
+ +These are the functions that a digital EHCP system must do as a minimum and will allow LAs to:
It will also help software suppliers understand what they need to provide and allow new suppliers to come to market.
+We will look to mandate these.
-The discovery looked to understand what part digitisation should play in the EHCP process and the potential - longer-term benefits of digital, through research with: +
A data standard will support the digital EHC process, including:
The team conducted two deep dives with local authorities (LAs) who have established digital EHCP systems - in place. They spoke to a wide range of LAs, education and healthcare professionals based in that region, - and to local families who had used the software. This led to an understanding of LA and - other professionals' experiences of procuring, implementing and using a digital EHCP hub. +
This will ease data sharing across different systems, integration of systems and allow for consistent data reporting and analysis.
-
The team also reviewed a selection of local authority digital EHCP systems. They considered how information - is captured and whether better communication could improve efficiency. +
We will look to mandate the data standard.
-
Working with digital Case Management System (CMS) and digital EHCP system suppliers, the team looked to - better understand the products and services on offer.
-Our research found benefits to adopting digital EHCP systems for users including families, young people and - children, and LA case workers. There were still some issues EHCP users faced when using digital systems, - which impacted upon the: +
We aim to understand options for a technical mechanism for safely and securely transferring an EHC record and plan from one LA to another.
+
The mechanism will reduce the administrative burden for LAs and create smoother experiences for children, young people and families.
+Once the options are considered, we will add the mechanism options to the minimum specifications and data standard. This will ensure that LAs use a consistent method which is supported by software suppliers.
+ +This is long-term engagement with all LAs, enabling them to network with and support one another during their digitisation process. The community will allow us to consistently engage with LAs to develop and test the:
As professionals and families are asked to use the systems multiple times, these pain points occur multiple - times, therefore exacerbating the need to address them.
-The experiences vary depending on where the professional is based, for example within health, education or - special educational needs and disability case management.
- -We conducted research to understand the experiences of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) - leaders in local authorities, education, health and care settings.
-The alpha phase is where we test and shape the ideas and hypotheses from our discovery.
-At the end of this phase, we want a clear set of recommendations that we will look to fund and test during a - private beta phase (like a pilot).
-We are currently testing whether local authorities would be best supported to digitise their EHCP processes - through all or a combination of the following:
+This will include using digitised LAs to form an advisory group.
-We will engage with suppliers and LAs on the minimum functionality and data standard of digital EHCP systems through regular meetings. +
+When we reach business as usual, we will have one communication channel to engage with suppliers, share our plans and receive any feedback. +
+This will be a dedicated public sign-up function for all current suppliers and new ones. +
+ +We held four playback webinars for local authorities, Integrated Care Boards, software suppliers and wider stakeholders to share both our:
+To understand the challenges, benefits and further ideas, we have engaged with:
-We explained the case for all SEND services to digitise their EHCP processes to:
+We have spoken to people using user research interviews, and we held three online workshops. We are also - testing our ideas with a prototype that helps aid discussions during the later stages of the alpha phase. -
-You can find out more about our research and design on our design history.
-To find out more or get involved email: EHCP.reform@education.gov.uk -
+We are looking at the best way to do this, based on both:
+We would like all local authorities to gain the benefits outlined in the SEND and Alternative Provision (AP) Improvement Plan by digitising.
+The DfE is also working hard to identify and spread best practice of delivering EHCPs to improve both the:
+Core principles of our digital EHCP system design and related guidance will include both:
+The education, health and care plan digital project is work that forms part of the Department for Education's SEND and alternative provision improvement plan.
+A local authority's digital EHCP system should cover the entire EHCP process, including, assessment, drafting, implementing and maintaining a plan.
+Based on the SEND and AP Improvement Plan timelines, we will continue to communicate project timelines on this page and through our community group.
+ +Dates for the next LA community group sessions:
+9th May: 1.30 - 2.30pm
+11th June: 11 - 12noon
+18th July: 2.30 - 3.30pm
+ +To find out more or get involved email: EHCP.reform@education.gov.uk
+28 March 2024
+12 April 2024
28 March 2024
+12 April 2024
We are delivering the project through an iterative, agile process. We are working collaboratively - with a - small number of local authority partners who are helping to develop, test and iterate our digital + with a number of local authority partners who are helping to develop, test and iterate our digital products.
-We are working with:
+ +During the discovery phase we identified user needs and developed digital solutions. These digital + solutions were then tested in the alpha phase. We are now in the private beta stage. This stage involves + piloting the digital products within our partner local authority areas. +
+ +We are currently working with:
During the discovery phase we identified user needs and developed digital solutions. These digital - solutions - were then tested in the alpha phase. We are now in the private beta stage. This stage involves - piloting the - digital products within our partner local authority areas.
- +Our partnership working is supplemented by our local authority co-design group.
We set up the co-design group in September 2022. The group is made up of representatives from local