(UK) Blackpool: SPED has 'significant weakness'; 'system simply isn't working'

May 31, 2022, Blackpool Gazette: New Ofsted report warns families are being let down by SEND services in Blackpool https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/education/new-ofsted-report-warns-families-are-being-let-down-by-send-services-in-blackpool-3715328

NW England Blackpool is failing many families of children with special education needs, a report by Ofsted has found.

Inspectors from Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission visited the town in February and March this year to examine services offered by the council and the Blackpool CCG (clinical commissioning group).

They have highlighted four areas of "significant weakness" including long waiting times for some therapies.

Blackpool must now submit a plan of action, known as a Written Statement of Action, explaining how it will resolve the situation.

The four main areas of concern are - the lack of specificity, ownership and accountability in the area’s improvement strategy for SEND (special educational needs and disabilities); the duties around preparing children and young people for adulthood not being fulfilled; the poor communication with parents and carers across the area; and the long waiting times for some therapies….

In a published letter to the council and CCG, the inspectors say: "The area has not paid sufficient heed to the views of children, young people, parents and carers.

The letter adds long waiting times for services has caused "considerable stress and anxiety". It adds: "Many parents and carers’ perception is that the area has put barriers in place to make it harder for them to access education, health and care (EHC) plan assessments and specialist short breaks….

"Where there are delays, parents and carers report that these lead to their children and young people’s needs escalating. Families find it hard to cope as a result."

“We acknowledge that our progress implementing the 2014 reforms has been too slow but we are now working together on a new SEND strategy to ensure that all children and their families receive the right support in the right way….

Martin Thacker, deputy director at the National Deaf Children’s Society, said: “Blackpool Borough Council has a legal duty to support children with SEND, but this inspection shows that its system simply isn’t working….

Blackpool Council and CCG have come under fire for poor SEND services