June 13, 2021, Beccles & Bungay Journal: Suffolk's SEND services to undergo independent review after parent concerns https://www.becclesandbungayjournal.co.uk/news/education/suffolk-send-services-independent-review-8054464
SE England
The way parents and carers are communicated with and kept informed of their child’s special educational needs and disability (SEND) services in Suffolk is set to undergo an immediate independent review….
Officials said the review aims to determine if current systems in place are sufficient, and the announcement follows weeks of mounting concern among parents and carers.
Rachel Hood, Suffolk County Council (SCC)’s newly-appointed cabinet member for education, SEND, and skills, said: “I know that every parent and carer wants the best for their children, especially when it comes to education and care. SCC wants the same and must strive to provide the very best services we can. …
She added: “The way in which SEND provision is delivered with our partners has improved significantly over the last 18 months, but we must always work to improve what we do, especially when we are faced with increasing demand for special educational support." …
It comes after weeks of criticism levelled at SCC’s SEND provision.
In a strongly-worded open letter to Suffolk County Council (SCC), the newly-formed Campaign for Change (SEND Suffolk) group said parents are "still being failed" and claimed there had been no visible change in provision since a scathing Ofsted inspection in 2016.
The group, which is made up of around 120 parents and carers of children and adults with additional needs, said it wants to change the way families are treated by the education system in the county. …
"Nearly 18,000 young people are supported in some way through local SEND services.
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