Burnham-On-Sea MP Ashley Fox has called for emergency investment to tackle what he describes as “unacceptable” delays in support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Somerset, after new figures revealed the county is completing just 2.3% of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) within the legal 20‑week limit.
Data presented to Somerset Council’s Children’s Scrutiny Committee shows the authority is performing far worse than neighbouring areas. Bath and North East Somerset is completing around 35% of plans on time, Wiltshire 65%, and North Somerset 88%.
Ashley Fox said the figures highlight a system under severe strain. He said, “Liberal Democrat‑run Somerset Council is clearly falling far behind other councils.
Demand is rising everywhere, but others are still managing to deliver far more EHCPs on time. That points to a system that is not working as it should, and it is children and families here who are paying the price.”
Scrutiny reports have identified long waits for educational psychology assessments as a major bottleneck, with families waiting an average of 22 weeks for advice — a delay that stalls the entire EHCP process.
Ashley Fox is now urging the council to secure emergency funding to boost educational psychology capacity and reduce the backlog.
He also warned that the delays are creating wider financial and emotional pressures. Hundreds of tribunal appeals have been lodged in recent years, with families winning the vast majority of cases, adding significant legal and administrative costs for the council.
“Delays in the system do not just impact children’s education,” he said. “They put huge stress on families and create avoidable costs for taxpayers with parents taking Somerset Council to tribunal in their droves.”
Ashley Fox said Somerset must now set out a clear plan to bring performance back in line with other areas. “Failing to address this is not just poor performance, it is a failure to meet a clear statutory duty to children and families. Somerset Council must do better — children across Somerset deserve nothing less.”
