Barking and Dagenham SEND Staff Exodus Causes EHCP Delays 2026

Key Points

• A third of Barking and Dagenham Council’s special educational needs (SEND) staff left the town hall last summer, causing a backlog in assessments for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
• The number of completed education, health and care plans (EHCPs) fell as a direct result of these departures.
• Four staff out of a team of twelve left the council’s SEND department in summer 2025.
• Demand for EHCP assessments continues to rise, with 646 children referred in 2025 compared to 526 in 2022.
• However, the number of EHCPs issued dropped to 313 in 2025, down from 502 the previous year.
• A backlog of 156 cases emerged in the autumn term of 2025, while managing 245 new requests during the same period.
• Only 21.2% of EHCPs were issued within the required 20-week timeframe, down from 27.7% the previous year; the national average is around 45%.
• The council describes the SEND staffing shortage as “not an unusual situation” for councils in London.
• Jane Hargreaves, the town hall’s commissioning director for education, described staff working in “an incredibly high-pressured environment”.
• Denise Watts, the council’s head of SEND, stated: “It’s not where we want to be – the national average in terms of what’s being reported is around 45%. We’re working hard to get there.”
• Figures were revealed in a presentation to councillors at an overview and scrutiny committee on Wednesday, 11th (presumed February 2026 context, aligning with recent reporting).
• The presentation explicitly linked the fall in EHCPs to “the turnover of staff in the summer term 2025, with 33% of the team leaving”.

Barking and Dagenham (East London Times) February 17, 2026 – Children requiring special educational needs assessments in Barking and Dagenham are experiencing significant delays after a third of the council’s SEND staff departed last summer, leading to a sharp drop in completed education, health and care plans (EHCPs) amid rising demand from parents.​

Why Did a Third of SEND Staff Leave Barking and Dagenham Council?

As reported in the Yellow Advertiser, four staff members out of a team of twelve left the council’s SEND department in summer 2025. The presentation to councillors at the overview and scrutiny committee last Wednesday (11th) stated:

“This led to a ‘backlog’ in decisions in the autumn term of 156 cases, whilst managing 245 new requests during the same period.”​

The council maintains that such staffing shortages are commonplace across London boroughs. Speaking to councillors last week, Jane Hargreaves, the town hall’s commissioning director for education, said staff were working in “an incredibly high-pressured environment”. This high pressure, coupled with rising demand, appears to have contributed to the turnover, though specific reasons for individual resignations were not detailed in the council’s presentation.​

Denise Watts, the council’s head of SEND, addressed the committee directly on the impacts. She told councillors this situation was also down to the resignations and emphasised ongoing efforts to address it.

What Are EHCPs and Why Do They Matter for Children with SEND?

Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) spell out the precise support a child with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) must receive. In Barking and Dagenham, the number of children referred for EHCP assessments surged to 646 in 2025, up from 526 in 2022, reflecting growing parental demand.​

Yet, completions plummeted to 313 plans issued in 2025, compared to 502 the year before. The council’s presentation to the overview and scrutiny committee explicitly explained:

“The fall was explained by the turnover of staff in the summer term 2025, with 33% of the team leaving”.

This discrepancy highlights a widening gap between need and provision, leaving many families waiting longer for essential support.​

EHCPs are legally binding documents that coordinate education, health, and social care services for children with complex needs. Delays in issuing them can disrupt schooling, therapy access, and family stability, a concern echoed across UK local authorities facing similar strains.

How Severe Is the Backlog in EHCP Assessments?

The autumn term of 2025 saw a backlog of 156 undecided cases accumulate, even as the department handled 245 new requests. This dual pressure exacerbated the existing challenges from staff losses. Only 21.2% of EHCPs were issued within the statutory 20-week timeframe, a decline from 27.7% the previous year.​

Ms Watts told the committee:

“It’s not where we want to be – the national average in terms of what’s being reported is around 45%. We’re working hard to get there.”

Her department is taking action to tackle the backlog and accelerate issuance times, though specifics on recruitment or interim measures were not outlined in the presentation.​

The council says the SEND staffing shortage was “not an unusual situation” for councils in London, suggesting systemic issues rather than isolated mismanagement. Nationally, SEND pressures have intensified post-pandemic, with referrals up significantly borough-wide.​

What Actions Is Barking and Dagenham Council Taking?

Denise Watts assured councillors that her department is actively addressing the backlog and aiming to improve turnaround times. “We’re working hard to get there,” she said, referencing the national average of 45% compliance with the 20-week deadline.​

The presentation to the overview and scrutiny committee on Wednesday (11th) detailed the staffing turnover as the primary cause but did not specify new hires or retention strategies at that stage. Jane Hargreaves highlighted the “incredibly high-pressured environment” faced by remaining staff, implying a need for broader support like workload management or funding boosts.​

Councillors received these figures last week, prompting scrutiny on how the council plans to stabilise the team. No immediate timelines for clearing the 156-case backlog were provided, but Ms Watts indicated proactive steps are underway.

What Is the Broader Context of SEND Challenges in London?

Barking and Dagenham Council’s assertion that its situation is “not an unusual situation” for London councils points to regional trends. Across the capital, high caseloads, recruitment difficulties, and budget constraints have strained SEND services. Demand has risen steadily, mirroring national patterns where EHCP referrals increased by over 20% in recent years.​

In Barking and Dagenham specifically, the jump from 526 referrals in 2022 to 646 in 2025 underscores local pressures on families and schools. The drop in completions—from 502 to 313—represents not just administrative delays but potential gaps in support for vulnerable children.​

The overview and scrutiny committee’s review last Wednesday (11th) allows for public accountability, with Jane Hargreaves and Denise Watts fielding questions on the “33% of the team leaving”. This transparency contrasts with some boroughs facing legal challenges over SEND failures.​

How Does Barking and Dagenham Compare to National Averages?

Compliance with the 20-week EHCP deadline stands at just 21.2% locally, down from 27.7% last year, against a national average of around 45% as cited by Ms Watts. This places Barking and Dagenham below par, though the council attributes it squarely to summer 2025 staff losses.​

The presentation noted:

“Just 21.2% of EHCPs were issued within the required 20-week timeframe. That’s down from 27.7% the previous year.”

With 646 referrals against 313 completions, the imbalance risks further backlogs if staffing does not recover swiftly.​

Denise Watts’ commitment to matching the national benchmark signals ambition, but sustained progress will depend on retention amid the “high-pressured environment” described by Jane Hargreaves.

What Do Councillors and Parents Need to Know Next?

The overview and scrutiny committee meeting last Wednesday (11th) marked the public revelation of these figures, with the presentation linking delays directly to “turnover of staff in the summer term 2025”. Councillors can now push for detailed recovery plans, including recruitment drives or external partnerships.​

Parents facing delays are advised to contact the SEND department directly, as Ms Watts outlined efforts to manage the 156-case backlog alongside new requests. Broader advocacy through groups like IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) may amplify voices.​

As demand persists—646 referrals in 2025 alone—the council’s response will be pivotal. Jane Hargreaves’ depiction of intense pressures underscores the human cost on staff, while Denise Watts’ resolve offers cautious optimism.