Petition · Department for Education
Require Local Authorities to Quantify EHCP Hours
Open for signatures
21 signatures
What the petition asks
Mandate local authorities to quantify 1:1 support hours in Section F of EHCPs.
Amend the Children and Families Act 2014 to explicitly forbid Local Authorities from issuing unquantified EHC Plans on the basis that professional reports do not state specific hour figures. Introduce mandatory penalties.
We believe councils can exploit a loophole to avoid funding 1:1 support. In draft EHCPs, they can omit specified hours—like 1:1 TAs—claiming they cannot lawfully add a figure if specialists didn't state a number. We are concerned that this could violate High Court case law (L v Clarke and Somerset), which rules it is the Council's job to translate needs into specific hours. We feel that unquantified plans unlawfully dump the financial burden onto schools, leaving vulnerable children unsafe. We want strict regulation to stop this systemic failure.
We believe councils can exploit a loophole to avoid funding 1:1 support. In draft EHCPs, they can omit specified hours—like 1:1 TAs—claiming they cannot lawfully add a figure if specialists didn't state a number. We are concerned that this could violate High Court case law (L v Clarke and Somerset), which rules it is the Council's job to translate needs into specific hours. We feel that unquantified plans unlawfully dump the financial burden onto schools, leaving vulnerable children unsafe. We want strict regulation to stop this systemic failure.
Timeline
| 25 Jun 2026 | Petition opened for signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
21
Status
Open for signatures
Department
Department for Education
Opened
25 Jun 2026
Follow this petition
Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.
Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.