Gaps, Inconsistencies and Contradictions in EHCPs: Improving clarity, consistency and confidence
Local authority SEND teams are working hard to improve the quality and consistency of Education, Health and Care Plans.
One issue that frequently comes up is inconsistency across plans – particularly where advice from different professionals doesn’t fully align.
In this video, we explore how councils are approaching this challenge and what’s emerging from that work.
Why this matters
EHCPs must bring together advice from multiple sources into one clear, deliverable plan.
When gaps or contradictions remain:
- Plans become harder to implement in practice
- Commissioning decisions are less clear
- Disputes and appeals are more likely
- Teams are pulled back into rework after plans are issued
Clarity and alignment aren’t just about quality – they’re essential for delivery.
What we’re seeing in practice
From working with councils across England, we regularly see how inconsistencies arise across EHCPs. Advice is often written at different times, in different formats, and with different assumptions. As a result, recommendations don’t always align - whether that’s the type of support, frequency, intensity, or delivery approach.
These issues aren’t intentional. They reflect the complexity of multi-agency working under pressure. But they can be difficult to identify before a plan is finalised, which is why many councils are focusing on resolving them earlier in the process.
In practice, this means:
- Strengthening quality assurance across the whole plan
- Reviewing how advice aligns (not just whether it is present)
- Supporting practitioners to reconcile differences clearly before sign-off
When inconsistencies are addressed early, plans become clearer, more defensible, and easier to implement.
Part of the Spotlight Series
This video is part of our Inside EHCP Genie: The Spotlight Series, where we share insights from working alongside local authorities.
Previous episodes:
Coming next:
- Retaining local templates while improving quality and reducing rework
Improve consistency and confidence across your EHCPs
We’re happy to share what other councils are learning and applying in practice.
