What's happened, and what next
What happened
Portsmouth maintained 2,616 EHC plans in January 2026, up from 1,513 in 2019. The proportion of new plans issued within the statutory 20 weeks fell from 97% in 2021 to 1.6% in 2023, and has since recovered to 42.9% in 2025 — just below the England average of 45.5%. Severe absence reached 3.55% of pupils in 2024/25 against 2.39% in England. Suspensions ran at 16.58 per 100 pupils against 10.88 in England, though permanent exclusions were BELOW the England rate.
Why it matters
Severe absence and suspension are among the strongest predictors of poor outcomes later. EHC plan delays leave children without support they have a statutory right to. And SEND is a direct financial pressure: Portsmouth is budgeting its first Dedicated Schools Grant deficit in 2026/27, with the statutory override protecting councils from those deficits ending in March 2028.
What's being done
EHCP timeliness has recovered substantially, from 1.6% in 2023 to 42.9% in 2025, and average time to issue fell from 43.9 weeks to 25.6 — now level with England. The council's stated approach on the DSG is to work towards no overall deficit by the end of March 2028, in consultation with the Schools Forum.
Has it worked?
Partly. EHCP timeliness has genuinely recovered. Severe absence and suspensions have not — both are still rising and both remain well above England.
What happens next
The 2026 EHCP timeliness figures, the next absence release, and the DSG position as the March 2028 statutory override approaches.
Cost
The Dedicated Schools Grant high-needs position is the measurable cost. Portsmouth held a DSG surplus of £8.0m at March 2026 but is budgeting a £4.5m deficit for 2026/27.