The DfE report uses pioneering research led by Dr Tracy Laverick, Senior Lecturer in the School of Education and Childhood at Leeds Trinity University to point to a gap in capacity and resources in local authorities, which could create further strain on the workforce, as proposals for a range of SEND reforms outlined in the new Schools White Paper begin to take shape. 

Dr Laverick’s research has found that SEND officers in local authorities do not receive any training to prepare them for the complexities of their role, which can ultimately affect outcomes for children and families. 

“These workforces are expected to deliver highly complex tasks, without any training,” Dr Laverick explained. “It is assumed that they have a background in SEND, but this is often not the case. The Schools White Paper outlines ambitious plans for SEND reform across the country, but without addressing the need for more training and development opportunities for caseworkers, we run the risk of creating further strain on the workforce, whose needs have been missed in the current proposals.” 

The DfE report found that SEND officers spend, on average, 11.3 hours on implementing each Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). EHCPs identify the educational, health and social needs of children and young people with SEND, set out the additional support to meet those needs, and are managed by local authority SEND teams, with input from schools and families. As of January 2025, there were 638,745 children or young people with EHCPs, and their numbers have been growing year-on-year.  

But the research also highlights wide variation between cases, with some case officers spending 20 hours or more on a single stage of the process, in particularly complex cases. 

Dr Laverick’s research warns that this may be a direct result of SEND case officers’ roles lacking a clear definition, which can cause confusion for families as to what they might expect from officers, and limits the capacity of case officers to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with families to meet their child’s needs. 

Dr Laverick added: “Although the DfE report goes into detail of the process caseworkers go through to complete an EHCP, it does not consider other aspects of the role, such as annual reviews, reassessments and tribunal cases.  

“By understanding the work and needs of these caseworkers, we can ensure better relationships and communication with families, and therefore, better outcomes for children.” 

To help close skills and knowledge gaps withing SEND casework teams, Dr Laverick has been leading national efforts to create more targeted training, networking and development opportunities. On Wednesday 17 June 2026, a conference for local authority SEND casework teams and managers will be held at Leeds Trinity University’s City Campus. This is the only conference tailored to local authority teams involved in the delivery and oversight of EHCPs, and will offer informative and practical sessions, networking opportunities, and workshops designed to identify the training needs of SEND teams. 

To book, visit the Leeds Trinity University website.