Even without the Covid ‘bubble’, the number of children and young people seeking assessment for Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) in Hertfordshire would have increased, it has been suggested to county councillors.
EHCPs are statutory documents – available to those aged 0 to 25 – that assess an individual’s needs and outline the support that should be available to them.
According to the latest data, there are currently 15,154 children and young people across the county who have an EHCP – which is equivalent to 349 per 10,000 of the county’s 0-25 population.
That rate is double the 172 per every 10,000 of the 0-25 population with an EHCP that was recorded in the county in 2019, in the year before the pandemic.
At a meeting of the county council’s education, SEND and inclusion cabinet panel on Wednesday (March 11), the doubling in the numbers seeking assessment for EHCPs over the past six years was highlighted to county councillors.
Cllr Jan Maddern asked whether the increasing trajectory would continue – or whether it was a knock-on effect of Covid and might drop back down again.
During the pandemic, schools did not remain open for all pupils, and some children and young people spent long stretches learning at home.
In response, “from a data perspective”, strategic lead for intelligence and insight David Butcher suggested that there had been a Covid-related impact.
But he told councillors that the upward trend had already started before the beginning of the pandemic.
“We hear enough from a whole range of multi-agency practitioners about what they are seeing in their day-to-day work with children and families to think that there is an impact there,” he said.
“But even before the pandemic, there had been a significantly upward trajectory nationally and locally in terms of the numbers of children and young people who are being identified with additional needs and coming through statutory pathways.
“So, I think whilst there may be some impact as that ‘covid bulge’, if you like, moves through, at the same time, I think there are a number of other factors.
“We know the population profile is changing. We know in the context of the national reforms that this will lead to different ways and pathways to access support.
“So I think absolutely there is a valid piece in terms of that ‘Covid bubble’. But I think that even without the pandemic, we would have seen that upward trajectory.”
According to the data presented to county councillors, as of December 2025, there were 15,154 children and young people who had an EHCP.
That is 18% higher than the 12,897 in December 2024 – and it is equivalent to 3.9% of the county’s 0-25 population.
But the 349 per 10,000 of 0-25 population EHCP rate in Hertfordshire is still lower than the national rate of 364.
And highlighting this, the executive member for education, SEND and inclusion, Cllr Mark Watkin, said: “It’s worth noting our ratio of EHCPs per 10,000 is getting closer to, but not above, the average from other authorities.
“We were below – so we have seen a steeper growth.”
He also speculated that the ongoing SEND consultation may impact people seeking an EHCP or assessment in preparation for the future. He suggested that a downward trend was unlikely to occur.
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