Local SEND context
The SEN Advocate is based in the West Midlands, so families in Herefordshire, County of are close to our regional SEND advocacy base. That local context matters when preparing evidence, challenging decisions and understanding how local authority processes affect EHCP timescales.
Herefordshire, County of is responsible for 1,717 active EHC plans, with 347 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.
Herefordshire, County of issued 65% of new EHCPs within 20 weeks (225 of 347). Even where most plans are on time, a significant minority of families may still need help responding to delay, poor draft wording or missing provision.
Herefordshire, County of covers families in Arrow, Aylestone Hill, Backbury, Belmont Rural, Birch, Bircher, Bishops Frome & Cradley, Bobblestock, Bromyard Bringsty, Bromyard West, Castle, Central, College, Credenhill, Dinedor Hill, Eign Hill, Golden Valley North, Golden Valley South, Greyfriars, Hagley, Hampton, Hinton & Hunderton, Holmer, Hope End, Kerne Bridge, Kings Acre, Kington, Ledbury North, Ledbury South, Ledbury West, Leominster East, Leominster North & Rural, Leominster South, Leominster West, Llangarron, Mortimer, Newton Farm, Old Gore, Penyard, Queenswood, Red Hill, Ross East, Ross North, Ross West, Saxon Gate, Stoney Street, Sutton Walls, Three Crosses, Tupsley, Weobley, Widemarsh and Wormside and other areas within West Midlands.
These figures are drawn from the Department for Education's SEN2 data collection and published inspection information where available.
Active EHC Plans
1,717
New EHC Plans
347
Issued within 20 weeks
65%
225 of 347 new plans
Tribunal Cases
30
Mediation Cases
2
You can request an EHC Needs Assessment directly from Herefordshire, County of 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 Herefordshire, County of 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, 65% of new EHCPs in Herefordshire, County of 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.
