Barking SEND Team Exodus Sparks EHCP Backlog 2026

Key Points

• A third of Barking and Dagenham Council’s Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) team left the town hall last summer, specifically four staff out of a team of 12.
• The staff departures resulted in a significant drop in completed Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), which outline the support children with SEND must receive.
• The backlog in SEND assessments has grown due to these exits amid rising demand from parents for EHCP assessments.
• Council officials described the staffing shortage as “not an unusual situation” for councils across London.
• Jane Hargreaves, the council’s commissioning director for education, told councillors last week that staff operate in “an incredibly high-pressured environment”.
• The issue affects children with special educational needs and disabilities in Barking and Dagenham, exacerbating delays in critical support provision.

Barking and Dagenham (East London Times) February 21, 2026 – A third of Barking and Dagenham Council’s SEND team departed last summer, triggering a backlog in child care assessments and a sharp decline in completed EHCPs for children with special educational needs.

The exodus of four staff members from a 12-person team has left the department struggling to meet surging parental demand for assessments. As reported in MyLondon, the council acknowledged that completed EHCPs – formal documents specifying tailored support for children with SEND – fell as a direct consequence of these departures. Jane Hargreaves, commissioning director for education, addressed councillors last week, stating the shortages reflect a common challenge among London boroughs.

What Caused the Staff Departures in Barking and Dagenham’s SEND Team?

The departures occurred over summer 2025, with exactly four professionals leaving the 12-strong SEND team at Barking and Dagenham Council. According to coverage in MyLondon, this one-third turnover rate struck at a time when demand for EHCP assessments from parents was steadily climbing. No specific reasons for individual resignations were detailed, but the council has framed the situation as typical for the region.

Councillors heard directly from Jane Hargreaves during a meeting last week. As reported by MyLondon, Hargreaves, the commissioning director for education, said staff were working in “an incredibly high-pressured environment”. This comment underscores the intense workload pressures contributing to instability in such roles. The council maintains that SEND staffing shortages are “not an unusual situation” for councils in London, suggesting broader systemic issues at play.

How Has the Backlog Impacted EHCP Completions?

The immediate fallout from the staff exits has been a noticeable drop in completed EHCPs. MyLondon reporting highlights that these plans are essential, as they “spell out the support a child with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) must receive”. With fewer staff, the department could not keep pace, leading to a growing backlog in assessments.

Parents in Barking and Dagenham now face extended waits for these critical documents, which dictate access to specialised education, health, and care services. The council has not released precise figures on the backlog size or the exact percentage drop in EHCPs, but the correlation with the summer departures is explicit in official statements. This delay risks leaving vulnerable children without timely interventions.

Why Is Demand for EHCP Assessments Rising?

Parental requests for EHCP assessments continue to rise across Barking and Dagenham, compounding the staffing crisis. MyLondon notes this trend as a key factor amplifying the impact of the four departures. Nationally, SEND needs have surged post-pandemic, with more families identifying requirements for formal support.

As reported in MyLondon, the council’s SEND department in Barking – a town hall hub – has felt this pressure acutely. Jane Hargreaves reiterated to councillors that the “incredibly high-pressured environment” stems partly from this unrelenting demand. Without additional resources, the backlog is likely to persist, affecting hundreds of families in the borough.

What Has the Council Said About the SEND Staffing Crisis?

Barking and Dagenham Council has downplayed the severity by normalising it regionally. In statements to MyLondon, officials described the SEND staffing shortage as “not an unusual situation” for London councils. This position was echoed by Jane Hargreaves during her address to councillors last week.

Hargreaves specifically told the group, as covered by MyLondon, that her team operates under extreme pressure. The council has not announced immediate recruitment drives or interim measures in the available reporting, focusing instead on contextualising the issue within wider London trends. Councillors received this update in a formal setting, highlighting ongoing scrutiny of education services.

Who Is Jane Hargreaves and What Role Does She Play?

Jane Hargreaves serves as the commissioning director for education at Barking and Dagenham Council. As reported by MyLondon, she spoke candidly to councillors last week about the SEND team’s challenges. Hargreaves attributed staff strains to the “incredibly high-pressured environment”, providing key insight into operational realities.

Her comments, delivered in an official capacity, frame the departures and backlog as products of systemic pressures rather than isolated mismanagement. MyLondon identifies her as the primary council voice on this matter, linking her role directly to education commissioning and SEND oversight.

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

Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) are legally binding documents detailing support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). MyLondon explains that EHCPs “spell out the support a child with SEND must receive”, covering schooling, therapy, and health provisions.

Delays in issuing these plans, as seen post-departures in Barking and Dagenham, can disrupt a child’s development and family stability. The drop in completions following the summer exits has real-world consequences, leaving assessments incomplete amid rising demand. Councils like Barking and Dagenham are under statutory duty to deliver these within timelines, often 20 weeks, making backlogs a serious compliance issue.

Is This a Unique Problem for Barking and Dagenham?

No, according to the council itself. MyLondon reports that Barking and Dagenham officials view the SEND staffing shortage as “not an unusual situation” across London boroughs. Similar challenges plague neighbouring areas, with high turnover and pressure cited in regional education sectors.

Jane Hargreaves’ remarks to councillors reinforce this, positioning Barking and Dagenham within a metropolitan pattern. While local parents bear the brunt, the issue ties into national debates on SEND funding and workforce sustainability. No other media titles have contradicted this framing in recent coverage.

When Did the Staff Leave and What Was the Team Size?

The four staff members departed during summer 2025 from a team of 12 in Barking and Dagenham Council’s SEND department. MyLondon pinpoints this timeframe precisely, noting the one-third loss rate. The town hall in Barking serves as the operational base for these services.

This timing aligned with peak demand periods, worsening the subsequent backlog. Councillors received updates on the fallout last week, with Jane Hargreaves providing context on the high-pressure setting.

What Broader Challenges Face London SEND Services?

London councils grapple with chronic SEND staffing issues, as normalised by Barking and Dagenham’s stance. MyLondon coverage implies underfunding, rising needs, and burnout as culprits. Jane Hargreaves’ description of an “incredibly high-pressured environment” resonates borough-wide.

Parents across East London report similar delays, though Barking and Dagenham’s explicit one-third departure stands out. Government grants for SEND have faced scrutiny, but local statements focus on workforce retention over fiscal shortfalls.

How Are Families Affected by the EHCP Backlog?

Families in Barking and Dagenham await assessments longer, stalling access to vital SEND support. The drop in completed EHCPs post-summer exits means children miss out on specified education, health, and care aids. MyLondon underscores the human cost, with parental demand unmet.

No direct parent quotes appear in the initial reporting, but the backlog’s scale – tied to four departures – signals widespread disruption. Councillors, informed by Jane Hargreaves, now monitor this as a priority.

What Next for Barking and Dagenham’s SEND Team?

The council has not outlined specific recovery plans in available statements. MyLondon reports no announcements on hiring or external support following Jane Hargreaves’ comments last week. With demand rising, the backlog risks deepening without intervention.

Ongoing councillor oversight may prompt action, given the “not an unusual situation” caveat. Families urge faster resolutions, but official responses prioritise contextual explanation over timelines.