SEND chiefs in Durham 'ignore' children's views

A report by Ofsted and health watchdog the Care Quality Commission details a raft of concerns about the quality of support for children with SEND in Durham.

It is one of two SEND inspection findings published this week, the other being a positive report on Hackney's services.

During Ofsted and CQC's visit to Durham, inspectors found that while children with SEND and their families are canvassed about how local services should be run there is no evidence that their views are taken into account.

Inspectors found that parents are dissatisfied with the quality of support and that across health, education and social care there is a lack of strategic planning on how support should be delivered.

Quality control systems and monitoring are weak and inspectors are also concerned about the high exclusion and absence rates among children with SEND in Durham.

"Children, young people and families have too little say in strategic decision-making about services and the support they need," states a letter sent by the inspectorates to Durham County Council and the county's clinical commissioning group (CCG).

"Events and activities have involved representatives of parents, children and young people's groups in telling their stories and contributing to surveys. Despite this very valuable activity, inspectors heard little evidence that their views had been acted upon to secure improvement for all children and young people who have SEN and/or disabilities and their families."

Support for autistic children and those with speech and language difficulties is particularly poorly managed, inspectors found.

Their letter says that support for these two groups of children are "thinly stretched", adding that "waiting times for such services are unacceptable".

Despite their concerns inspectors praised efforts to ensure that the SEND needs of particularly vulnerable groups of children, such as those in care, care leavers and young offenders, are identified swiftly.

Durham Council and the CCG have been asked by the inspectorates to submit a plan of action on how they intend to improve services.

"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," said Margaret Whellans, Durham County Council's corporate director for children and young people's services.

"Partners are working together to address these concerns and, with parents, carers and communities, we will ensure improvements are made."

Meanwhile, the inspectorates have praised the quality of SEND support for children in Hackney.

They found that health, education and care chiefs are committed to improving life chances for children with SEND as well as making sure they are safe and participate in the local community.

The work by the local health integration team, made up of health professionals and called "the hit squad", to offer SEND training in the community, was singled out for praise by inspectors.

"Area leaders have succeeded in ensuring that children and young people participate well in society," states the inspectorates' letter to the London Borough of Hackney.

"Children talk enthusiastically about enjoying a wealth of sporting, social and cultural activities. Groups with the express aim of improving access to local services for young people who have SEN and/or disabilities, such as the ‘hit squad', provide focused training for staff working in local amenities, are proving successful."