Welcome to this update from HPCI. This week we’re focusing on two important consultations — opportunities for you to have your say on changes that may affect your family.
We know that changes can be worrying. Nothing has yet changed in SEND law, but it is still really important that parents and carers share their views. We’re here to help you do that.
This update will also cover:
🚍 Hertfordshire’s post-16 Transport consultation
Hertfordshire County Council’s consultation on proposed changes to transport arrangements for 16-18 year olds is still open. Their proposals will affect many young people with SEND.
It’s important that parents of younger children and teens respond, as the changes will affect students entering this age group from September 2026 onwards. We encourage all families to take part if they can.
HPCI has shared our concerns about the proposed change (to offer Personal Transport Budgets to all families as a default). Our concerns include:
If you would like to read the full details of these concerns, you can find this on our website.
The consultation closes on 12th April. If you are able to share your views, you can find the response form online.
📝 SEND Reform Consultation
You may be aware that the government is currently asking for views about how it plans to reform the SEND system. HPCI is preparing our response to the consultation, and we want to hear from Hertfordshire parent carers.
Please take our short survey to tell us which parts of the proposals matter most to you. Your views will help us focus on the priority topics for the families we represent. You can also use the form to register your interest in joining one of our discussion groups after Easter.
If you’d like help completing the survey or prefer to share your views another way, you can reply to this or call HPCI on 07840 360245.
🔒HertsFX changes
HertsFX is the secure file exchange system used by Herts County Council for EHCPs and other documents. It is being replace by a new “Herts Secure” system, with the changeover happening by the end of March 2026.
Following questions from HPCI members we have requested more information from Herts County Council, including:
We will keep you updated when we know more.
🏫 SEND provision plan for Hertfordshire
Last week, councillors at HCC reviewed a new SEND provision plan for Hertfordshire, that covers how the specialist support offer for children and young people can be improved. This plan will be open for consultation from Monday (23 April) until 15 June. We will send out further information to our members once the consultation is open.
We have also agreed with the council that we will draw together a list of questions that we and families have about their plans, so we can make sure we all understand what is proposed and how it might affect our children. If you have any questions you would like us to ask, please do let us know via the usual routes (reply to this email or call us on 07840 360 245).
As always, if you have any views or experiences that you’d like to share with us, you can visit the feedback page on our website.
