Carrie Grant

But they extended the scope of these plans.

So statements previously were for 5 to 18 year olds, but they extended it so that it was for 0 to 25 year olds.

But they didn't

increase the funding or resources to support that extra capacity.

Right from the start, it was on a downhill slope.

Previously, schools could support children with lower levels of need in a mainstream school, in a standard classroom.

They could buy in some speech and language therapy time.

They could bring in an educational psychologist.

They could make straightforward provision for some children.

But that gradually was eroded as all of the funding and the resources were going towards these statutory plans that have to happen.

So then more parents were in a position where their only option to get any help was to apply for an EHCP for a statutory plan.

And so the numbers have just gradually gone up.

And every year it's been a spiral.

It's like a vicious circle.

You can't get the help without a plan.

So you have to apply for a plan.

And then there are more children with plans which cost more money.

So there's less money to help the children who don't have a plan.

And it just goes round and round forever.

They think it will be cheaper, at least in the short term.