By Ethan Andrews, Head of Delivery – Software
As Head of Delivery at Agilisys, I have the privilege of working closely with our customers from the initial onboarding stages through to successful service kick-offs. Recently, I had the pleasure of overseeing our Agilisys EHCP tool trial with Northumberland County Council. We worked together over the last months of 2024 as development partners, with the team at Northumberland County Council providing valuable insights and feedback during the early days of the tool. Their feedback ensured the tool was centred on the experiences of SEND caseworkers and the work they do. The partnership culminated in an intensive six-week period in February and March 2025, during which we were able to see first-hand the tangible impact of our collaboration.
Background of our work with Northumberland
We know the pressures SEND services across the United Kingdom are under all too well. They are facing an unprecedented crisis, with councils contending with soaring demand, increasingly complex cases, and resource constraints that stretch services to breaking point. Northumberland County Council has been doing its utmost to meet this challenge in an exceptionally difficult environment. For example, between 2019 and 2024, Northumberland County Council experienced around a 70% increase in EHCP requests, rising from 496 to 842, while active plans increased from 2,075 to 3,310 over the same period (Northumberland County Council SEND Outcomes Infographic, 2024).
These pressures made it clear that an innovative solution was urgently needed. In this context, Northumberland County Council began exploring how emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence could be applied to improve processes, relieve administrative burdens, and enable caseworkers to focus on the most critical aspects of their roles.
Bringing Generative AI innovation to Northumberland
Our approach was collaborative from the outset. Beginning with an in-person onboarding session, we ensured the Northumberland County Council team felt confident and comfortable using the Agilisys EHCP tool. Throughout the trial period, we met weekly with the team, gathering their feedback and iteratively refining the tool to align closely with their ways of working. This continuous improvement was central to our shared success.
Experiencing transformative results
The results from the trial period were exceptional. In just four weeks, the Agilisys EHCP tool delivered an average time saving of 60% per new plan, meaning caseworkers saved around two hours per EHCP. Over the course of the trial, this amounted to a total saving of approximately 50 hours across 25 new plans. Beyond just saving time, caseworkers reported significant improvements in the consistency and quality of the EHCPs they produced. This allowed them to spend more time focusing on direct engagement with children and families, work they truly value.
Feedback from the team was overwhelmingly positive. Staff described the tool as a significant step forward, noting how it genuinely improved their working practices and reduced stress, enabling them to focus more effectively on the crucial elements of their roles. It was especially rewarding to hear how the tool was positively impacting their daily experiences.
Looking to the future
We are thrilled to be expanding our work with Northumberland County Council. As the wider team begins to use the Agilisys EHCP tool, we anticipate even greater benefits, potentially saving up to six hours per plan within three years. Our ongoing collaboration will continue to shape the tool, ensuring it evolves with the team’s needs and further enhances their ability to deliver timely, high-quality plans.
It is deeply rewarding to witness firsthand how our Agilisys EHCP tool positively impacts the working lives of caseworkers and enhances service delivery to children and families.
If you are interested in discovering how the Agilisys EHCP tool could support your team, save valuable time, and improve outcomes, please get in touch. We would be delighted to explore how we can help your council take its next step forward.
