Somerset Council Trials AI to Speed Up Special Needs Reports and Cut Waiting Times

Somerset Council Trials AI to Speed Up Special Needs Reports

Somerset Council is testing artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce long waiting times for children's special educational needs reports. The council is at an early stage of using AI to assist with basic administrative tasks involved in preparing Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) for vulnerable children.

Councillor Heather Shearer, the Liberal Democrat lead for children, families and education, emphasized that AI will only support drafting initial reports. She stressed the importance of maintaining high-quality and timely work while freeing up staff to focus more on direct support for families.

How AI Supports EHCP Report Preparation

The AI tool is designed to help with the first draft of EHCPs, which are vital documents outlining the support children with special needs require. By automating background tasks, staff and case workers can dedicate more time to face-to-face interaction with children and their parents.

"Staff and people will continue to make decisions," Shearer said. "AI can assist with the background work, which could be beneficial."

Benefits and Concerns from Parent Groups

Ruth Hobbs, chief executive of the Somerset Parent Carer Forum, acknowledged the potential benefits of AI in reducing report-writing time. However, she also highlighted concerns about handling sensitive data for vulnerable children.

"If AI means case workers can spend more time directly with children and parents, that is a positive," Hobbs said, while noting the importance of careful data management.

Looking Ahead

Somerset Council is open to feedback from families and professionals involved in the process as the trial progresses. The council’s cautious approach reflects a desire to balance efficiency gains with data privacy and quality assurance.

For education professionals interested in how AI tools can support administrative tasks and improve efficiency, exploring relevant training courses can be helpful. Resources such as Complete AI Training's courses for education professionals offer practical guidance on integrating AI into daily workflows.