Only 17% of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) for children with special educational needs and disabilities in Waltham Forest are being completed within the 20-week legal deadline, according to figures reported by the Waltham Forest Echo.
That is down from 25% the year before, and puts the council among the worst performers in London.
For families, an EHCP is often the document that unlocks the support a child needs at school, from specialist help in the classroom to a place at the right setting. A missed deadline means more time waiting for it.
Why the delays?
The council puts the delays down to a 39% rise in requests for assessments over two years, along with a national shortage of educational psychologists. A government inspection in 2025 found that children in the borough have "inconsistent experiences and outcomes".
'Behind every missed deadline is a child'
Claire Bithell, of the parent-led group Waltham Forest SEND Crisis, called the figures "shocking".
"Behind every missed deadline is an unsupported disabled child whose education, social support and health is at risk," she said.
Councillor Daisy Richardson, cabinet member for children and young people, acknowledged the impact on families and apologised to those affected. The council says it has put an improvement plan in place, with extra staff and resources to reduce the backlog and complete outstanding assessments.
Across London, more than 267,000 children have been identified as having SEND.
