Local SEND context
For families in South West, the practical question is not just how Cornwall performs on paper, but what the local data means for a child who needs support now. The figures below help identify where delays, disputes or evidence gaps may create pressure points.
Cornwall is responsible for 4,949 active EHC plans, with 936 new plans recorded in the latest 2025 data. For parents, that means EHCP decisions are being made inside a busy local system where clear evidence and a well-structured request can make a material difference.
Only 6% of new EHCPs in Cornwall were issued within the statutory 20-week timescale (60 of 936). Families facing this level of delay should focus on submitting a robust request from the start and keeping a clear paper trail if deadlines slip.
Cornwall's most recent Area SEND inspection outcome was inconsistent. This provides useful background, but individual EHCP decisions still turn on the child's assessed needs, the available evidence and whether provision is written clearly enough to be enforceable.
Cornwall covers families in Altarnun & Stoke Climsland, Bodmin St Mary's & St Leonard, Bodmin St Petroc's, Callington & St Dominic, Calstock, Camborne Roskear & Tuckingmill, Camborne Trelowarren, Camborne West & Treswithian, Camelford & Boscastle, Constantine, Mabe & Mawnan, Crowan, Sithney & Wendron, Falmouth Arwenack, Falmouth Boslowick, Falmouth Penwerris, Four Lanes, Beacon & Troon, Fowey, Tywardreath & Par, Gloweth, Malabar & Shortlanesend, Gwinear-Gwithian & Hayle East, Hayle West, Helston North, Helston South & Meneage, Illogan & Portreath, Land's End, Lanivet, Blisland & Bodmin St Lawrence, Lanner, Stithians & Gwennap, Launceston North & North Petherwin, Launceston South, Liskeard Central, Liskeard South & Dobwalls, Long Rock, Marazion & St Erth, Looe East & Deviock, Looe West, Pelynt, Lansallos & Lanteglos, Lostwithiel & Lanreath, Ludgvan, Madron, Gulval & Heamoor, Lynher, Mevagissey & St Austell Bay, Mousehole, Newlyn & St Buryan, Mullion & St Keverne, Mylor, Perranarworthal & Ponsanooth, Newquay Central & Pentire, Newquay Porth & Tretherras, Newquay Trenance, Padstow, Penryn, Penwithick & Boscoppa, Penzance East, Penzance Promenade, Perranporth, Pool & Tehidy, Porthleven, Breage & Germoe, Poundstock, Probus & St Erme, Rame Peninsula & St Germans, Redruth Central, Carharrack & St Day, Redruth North, Redruth South, Roche & Bugle, Saltash Essa, Saltash Tamar, Saltash Trematon & Landrake, St Agnes, St Austell Bethel & Holmbush, St Austell Central & Gover, St Austell Poltair & Mount Charles, St Blazey, St Cleer & Menheniot, St Columb Major, St Mawgan & St Wenn, St Columb Minor & Colan, St Dennis & St Enoder, St Goran, Tregony & the Roseland, St Ives East, Lelant & Carbis Bay, St Ives West & Towednack, St Mewan & Grampound, St Newlyn East, Cubert & Goonhavern, St Stephen-in-Brannel, St Teath & Tintagel, Stratton, Kilkhampton & Morwenstow, Threemilestone & Chacewater, Torpoint, Truro Boscawen & Redannick, Truro Moresk & Trehaverne, Truro Tregolls, Wadebridge East & St Minver and Wadebridge West & St Mabyn and other areas within South West.
These figures are drawn from the Department for Education's SEN2 data collection and published inspection information where available.
Active EHC Plans
4,949
New EHC Plans
936
Issued within 20 weeks
6%
60 of 936 new plans
Tribunal Cases
123
Mediation Cases
6
You can request an EHC Needs Assessment directly from Cornwall local authority. The strongest requests usually include clear school evidence, professional reports where available, examples of unmet need and a concise explanation of why SEN Support is not enough.
If Cornwall refuses to assess or refuses to issue an EHCP after assessment, parents and young people usually have a right of appeal to the SEND Tribunal. You should read the decision letter carefully, note the appeal deadline and request mediation information before deciding how to proceed.
A SEN advocate can help by reviewing evidence, strengthening the EHC needs assessment request, checking draft EHCP wording and preparing the issues for mediation or SEND Tribunal.
In the latest published data, 6% of new EHCPs in Cornwall were issued within the 20-week timescale, so families should keep dated records and follow up missed deadlines. If your case is delayed, ask for written updates, keep copies of every submission and consider taking advice before accepting a weak draft plan.
