SEND Inspection Must Be a Catalyst for Improvement, Not Political Point Scoring

Following the publication of the Ofsted and CQC Area SEND Inspection Report for Northumberland, it is important that we approach the findings in a balanced, constructive and honest way.

The report clearly identifies areas where children, young people and families are not consistently receiving the support they deserve. Concerns around long waits for neurodevelopmental assessments, inconsistencies in EHCP quality, communication between agencies and delays in identifying some children’s needs are issues that many local families will sadly recognise.

However, it is equally important that we recognise what the report also says.

Throughout the inspection there is recognition of committed frontline staff, passionate practitioners and examples of good partnership working across education, health, social care and the voluntary sector. Many staff are working under immense pressure and rising demand, yet continue doing everything they can to support children and families across Northumberland. They deserve our thanks and support, not blame.

The reality is that SEND pressures are being felt nationally. Increasing complexity of need, rising diagnosis requests and years of pressure on services have created challenges right across the country. That is why I welcome the Government’s ongoing focus on SEND reform and recovery. Any reforms that improve early intervention, speed up access to support, strengthen partnership working and provide more consistency for families can only be a positive step forward.

The report itself also recognises positive progress locally, including investment in additional specialist provision, support delivered through family hubs, strong work with young people at risk of becoming NEET and improved strategic oversight in several areas.

As one of the opposition leaders on Northumberland County Council, my focus is not on political point scoring. Children and families deserve better than that. This inspection must now become a catalyst for improvement, collaboration and delivery.

We need all partners the Council, NHS, schools, staff, Government and wider organisations working together at pace to address the issues identified while building on the strengths already recognised in the report.

Every child deserves the right support at the right time, regardless of their background, postcode or level of need. Families deserve clarity, communication and confidence in the system supporting them.

I will continue to support constructive measures that improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND and ensure the voices of families, carers and frontline staff remain central to the improvements that now need to happen.

Cllr Scott Dickinson MBE

Leader Northumberland Labour