Vulnerable children suffering due to council’s ‘poor’ service
CHARITY CALL FOR CHANGES TO ENSURE SPECIALIST NEEDS MET
Reporter PARENTS had to be ‘pushy’ to get children the help needed from a local authority – while some even bought equipment themselves to avoid the frustration of ‘unacceptable’ delays.
An Ofsted inspection found that some vulnerable children were waiting too long for support in County Durham.
It revealed “inconsistent” provision for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) in the areas, where children’s services were rated “requires improvement” in 2016.
Inspectors blamed ‘poor strategic planning’ and ‘fundamental weaknesses’ in leadership for errors which left some parents dissatisfied.
Now, Ofsted has demanded the county council, along with the local clinical commissioning group, produce a ‘statement of action’ to address the ‘serious weaknesses.’
Children with speech and language difficulties or autism faced ‘unacceptable’ waiting times for they help they needed in some parts of the county, inspectors found, as services were ‘too thinly stretched.’
They said many parents expressed ‘dissatisfaction’ with the system in Durham, while children and their families didn’t have enough say in decisions.
The report said: “Some parents said they have to be ‘pushy’ to make sure their children’s needs are met and others said, ‘My views didn’t count.’”
Some reported having to buy their own equipment and resources for their children, or waited too long for the specialist kit they needed.
The report provoked concern from the National Deaf Children’s Society.
Alison Lawson, the charity’s North East regional director of said: “The overall picture this report paints is really worrying.
“It shows that the leadership of the council have to start thinking more strategically about how to plan for children’s future needs.
“If services are being stretched too thinly, investments need to be made.
“It’s vital too that the voices and views of parents feed into everything the council do when it comes to children with SEND.”
Meanwhile, youngsters with SEND in some secondary schools faced high rates of exclusion and absence, which held back their progress.
But some aspects of the service, including the identification of children with SEN and support for parents, were praised.
Children felt safe, and an above-average number continued into education, employment or training.
Margaret Whellans, Durham County Council’s corporate director for children and young people’s services, said: “We welcome the fact that inspectors saw a lot of strengths in the work of the local area, particularly identifying children’s needs, providing high-quality services for vulnerable young people, preparing care leavers for adulthood and making sure children feel safe and well cared for.
“We also acknowledge that, as a partnership of education, health and social care providers, we could improve the services for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
“We recognise many of the areas for development which have been highlighted by the inspectors as in many instances these challenges have already been identified.
“Partners are working together to address these concerns and, with parents, carers and communities, we will ensure improvements are made.”