Council in schools pledge after inspectors’ criticism
LANCASHIRE County Council has pledged to improve its special educational needs and disability (SEND) service after an Ofsted inspection found ‘significant areas of weakness’.
The government inspector published its findings from a November inspection earlier this week, highlighting two main criticisms - that children and families weren’t placed at the heart of reforms and that leaders from different departments did not work together effectively,
The service, which is run jointly by Lancashire County Council and the areas’ clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), was also found not to have made SEND children a priority, while its leadership was heavily criticised for a range of reasons.
According to Ofsted’s report, those in charge of the service have an inaccurate view of their strengths and weaknesses and no effective strategic leadership.
The quality of education, health and care plans was slammed as “alarmingly poor”, while autism pathways did not comply with national guidelines.
Inspectors undertook a range of activity during the five-day visit, from reviewing documentation, observing frontline practice and face to face meetings with a range of service users.
They also spoke to staff at all levels, to SEND service providers, to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, their parents and carers, school governors, and leaders from the local area for health, social care and education.
The feedback given by parents was described as “overwhelmingly damning” and, as such, most were left “bewildered” by how decisions are made about services and had lost trust in the local area.
A joint written statement will now be sent to Ofsted from the council’s leaders, including Mike Maguire, the CCG Chief Officer for West Lancashire.
The letter will detail how the many required improvements will be achieved.
Responding to the report, the council said it had already begun to carry out improvements.
Lancashire County Council’s cabinet member for children, young people and schools, County Councillor Susie Charles, said: “Children and families are at the heart of what we do and we are committed to giving all young people, whatever their background or needs, the best possible start in life.
“The inspectors’ findings are of concern and we know that improvements must be made to ensure that the experience of children, young people and their families who access these vital services is a positive one.
“We have identified and started to implement a number of actions to address the issues found and staff are working hard to make changes.
“Since I became the responsible cabinet member following the county council elections in May last year, I have taken this issue very seriously and whilst I am disappointed with some of the findings, I am pleased that the inspectors acknowledged the emerging signs of improvement.
“They recognised that the culture and focus in Lancashire had begun to change in recent months and that professionals could see the benefits of finding joint solutions to common challenges.
“They also praised a number of areas of service delivery and practice, including the high attendance rates for children and young people who have SEN support and those who have an education, health and care plan or statement.
“A joint written statement of action by LCC and the areas’ clinical commissioning groups will now be sent to Ofsted outlining what improvement will be made.
“And rest assured we will continue to work hard with schools, colleges, health providers and the voluntary sector to make sure there is a level playing field for all children and young people in Lancashire.”