There are a higher-than-average number of children and young people in Oldham who have an education, health, and care plan (EHCP) compared to national rates (Oldham: 6.0% and national: 4.8%). The most common type of need for children and young people with an EHCP is autism, although speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) remain a significant area of need, which is shown in the most common primary need for children and young people at the SEN Support level being SLCN. Furthermore, most children at primary transition who move to special schools have primary needs in SLCN and autism. Due of the challenges of rising demand and many referrals for speech and language therapy (SALT) leading to long waiting times, it was important to look at reducing this.
