The Department described how parental confidence provided a core indicator of an effective SEN system but that, with a third of parents having children with SEN in the state system feeling their child did not get necessary support, the system was “nowhere near good enough”.16 Families lack confidence in a system where it does not meet expectations. The proportion of EHC plans issued within the statutory 20-week target was 50% in 2023, down from around 60% in the period 2018 to 2021.17 The Department attributed lengthening waiting times to increasing demand for EHC plans, which it described as “rational” given that less support is available for those without a plan, creating a “vicious cycle” of demand. It aimed to reduce the waiting times before children received SEN support by ensuring that this support did not necessarily depend on children going through the assessment process to get an individualised EHC plan.18 10 Q 2 11 C&AG’s Report, paras 7 and 1.6, Figure 1 12 Q 8 13 Q 4 14 Q 3 15 Q 2 16 Qq 3, 62 17 C&AG’s Report, para 8, Figure 7 18 Q 10 10