Streamline draft EHCP writing with VITA: Improve quality and increase efficiency


Designed to drastically improve the SEND system, VITA by Invision360 enables Local Authorities, schools and families to produce first draft EHCPs in a fraction of the current timeframe.

This purpose built platform is designed with privacy at its core. It intelligently collates, reviews, and synthesises all advice to craft accurate, high-quality draft EHCPs tailored to the specific needs of the child or young person.

VITA is a purpose built generative AI platform, not an off-the-shelf- tool, designed to specifically create high-quality first draft EHCPs with a strong emphasis on achieving positive outcomes for children and young people with SEND. IT combines personalisation, expert input and compliance against recognised standards, all whilst providing valuable feedback to local authorities.

This innovative platform fosters collaboration and ensures EHCPs align with the latest EHCP guidelines, supporting local authorities continuous self-improvement journeys in SEND advice and EHCP production. This collaborative approach helps local authorities enhance their practices, meeting the needs of children and young people with SEND - all within a secure, purpose-driven platform.

Why use AI to generate EHCPs? 


Meeting the 20-week statutory EHCP timeframe remains a significant challenge, with only 51% of cases completed on time.

Ofsted and CQC SEND inspections have consistently identified the quality and consistency of EHCPs as critical weaknesses, driving the push for digitisation as highlighted in the SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan.

Aim for outstanding practice

The AI model will play a crucial role in generating high-quality EHCPs by synthesising the professional advice gathered during the statutory assessment process. Importantly, the platform will proactively identify any gaps or limitations in the data, flagging these issues early and signposting areas that need to be addressed before reaching the Draft EHCP stage. This ensures that the final EHCPs are comprehensive and accurate, minimising delays.

Save valuable SEND budget

VITA will reduce the manual components of writing a high-quality EHCP, resulting in significant time and cost savings. VITA not only enhances the overall quality of EHCPs, but also reclaims time for professionals in the stretched SEND sector to focus more on delivering vital support to children and young people.

Improve the way resources are deployed

Our platform will not replace the expertise of SEND professionals; instead, it will generate an initial document for review. The significant efficiency savings will empower the case officer to dedicate more time to critical SEND activities, allowing for deeper engagement and support for children and young people. This shift not only enhances the quality of services provided but also ensures that the unique needs of each child are prioritised and met effectively.

Privacy at its core

Rest assured knowing data is in safe hands. VITA boasts a secure AI model within our existing infrastructure, prioritising privacy at its core.

Accurate personalisation

Personalisation is key, as VITA adapts seamlessly to the individual needs and situations of every child and young person requiring an EHCP. Developed by in-house experts and informed by a diverse advisory board of leading SEND professionals, VITA models best practice in EHCP production while allowing room for professionals to personalise each plan.

Easy to understand

The core of the AI model is a generative AI engine leveraging advanced algorithms and natural language processing, this means the EHC Plans are accessible for families.

Especially for parents and carers

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of AI generation in the EHCP process? 

The current EHCP process is outdated, inconsistent, and unmanageable. AI’s introduction into the process will help increase the success rate of completion within the 20-week timeframe for EHCPs and improve the quality of the EHCPs created. 

Will AI generation in EHCPs remove human input? 

In short, no. The platform will not completely remove the manual component and will still draw on the expertise of SEND professionals, with their local experience and knowledge. The platform will create an initial document, the LA professionals will then review and refine it before creating the draft EHCP document. This platform will save SEND case officers significant time, allowing resource to be redirected to other important SEND tasks  

Will AI for EHCP use reduce the EHCP wait time?

The length of time for an EHCP to be created and reviewed will be significantly reduced with the use of AI. The national guidance used to train the platform will be closely monitored by Invision360, making sure the quality of the EHCPs remains good or outstanding.  

I'm concerned about the privacy of sensitive data related to EHCPs when using AI tools. How does VITA ensure that sensitive information is kept safe?

We understand the importance of privacy and keeping sensitive data safe, which is why it's at the core of our VITA platform. Unlike other platforms that may rely on external AI services, VITA has been meticulously crafted with a secure internal AI model within our existing infrastructure. This ensures that all data remains protected at all times. With VITA, you can trust that information is kept securely, allowing you to craft high-quality EHCPs instantly.

My local authority is not currently using a digital EHCP format, can we still use the platform?

Yes, VITA is designed to be compatible with all current local authority systems for developing EHCPs. Whether your authority uses digital case management systems or non-digital formats like Word documents or PDF files stored in folders, VITA seamlessly integrates with your existing processes.

Is the platform intended for amended or new plans?

Initially, VITA is focused on developing new EHCPs. In future development phases, we plan to expand the platform's capabilities to support the generation of amended EHCPs as well. Stay tuned for updates on these enhancements!

What considerations have been taken into account related to person-centred plans and coproduction when using AI?

VITA ensures that the focus on the child's voice, individualised person-centered EHCPs, and co-production remain central and integral to the EHCP process. Our platform enhances the specific task of reviewing, collating, and synthesizing underpinning advice and assessments into a high-quality EHCP, a task traditionally performed manually by a local authority officer or outsourced to external companies. Key considerations include:

Child's Voice: The child's voice will continue to be ascertained through direct interactions between practitioners, professionals, and families, as well as through the child/young person (C/YP) and parent carer components of the EHCNA request and assessment process (and/or annual review).

Professional Insight: Local professional expertise and detailed insights from professionals, parents/carers, and the young person themselves remain central to the process. The assessments will continue as they currently do, ensuring high-quality, person-centered advice reports inform and underpin the EHCP.

Co-production: VITA uses sophisticated AI to produce high-quality, person-centered EHCPs. These EHCPs can then be discussed and finalised in co-production meetings with the C/YP and their families, ensuring that the end result truly reflects the needs and insights of all stakeholders.

By focusing on improving the manual task of integrating various advice and assessments, VITA allows professionals to spend more time engaging with the C/YP and their families, thereby maintaining the integrity of person-centered planning and co-production throughout the EHCP process.

How does VITA handle personal information with regard to data protection, including uploading and downloading data, storage location, and retention period?

VITA prioritises the security and privacy of personal information through stringent data protection measures, including:

Encryption: All uploads are AES-256 encrypted to ensure maximum security during storage and transmission.

Download restrictions: As an additional security measure, uploaded data cannot be     downloaded, preventing unauthorised access or distribution.

Retention policy: We adhere to a 30-day retention policy, ensuring that personal data is securely stored only for as long as necessary. By implementing these measures, VITA ensures that personal information is handled with the utmost care and in compliance with relevant data protection regulations.

Does the platform use bias mitigation when generating output from input data?

Yes, VITA employs bias mitigation techniques to ensure fair and accurate outputs. During AI model retraining, we carefully compare and validate different training data samples to minimise bias within the model. This process helps to ensure that the outputs generated by VITA are as unbiased and equitable as possible.

What's the proposed platform development timeline?

Based on our current roadmap, we anticipate onboarding users to a beta version of the application in Q4 2024.

What differentiates VITA from Copilot?

While Copilot is a digital assistant designed to generate human-like text based on user prompts, VITA is a specialised AI platform fine-tuned specifically to assist in producing high-quality EHCPs. Here are key differentiators:

Specialisation: VITA is tailored for the education, health, and care planning process, ensuring precision and relevance in generating EHCPs.

Data security: VITA is hosted within our AWS infrastructure, prioritising privacy and security. All data is AES-256 encrypted, with stringent measures in place to protect personal information. By focusing on these areas, VITA provides a specialised, secure, and efficient solution for developing high-quality EHCPs.

Has the platform been designed to comply with the proposed national template, and how does it accommodate variations in local area templates?

Yes, VITA has been designed with flexibility to comply with both the proposed national template and local area variations. Invision360 currently collaborates with over 55 local authorities, some of which are part of the SEND Change Programme, piloting the first draft of a potential national EHCP template. VITA supports any localised EHCP template a local authority is currently using. If a national EHCP template is launched, VITA will be promptly updated to align with the new format, ensuring seamless compliance and integration. 

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