A council has published draft plans on how it will improve its special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) service after it was found to have ‘widespread and systemic failings’ by Ofsted.
Bracknell Forest Council and Frimley Integrated Care Board (OCB) were subject to a joint Ofsted and Care Quality Commission inspection in February.
A report found ‘too many children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) do not have their needs swiftly identified and met’, with many missing ‘a substantial amount of their schooling’ as a result.
Cabinet member for children’s services Roy Bailey apologised ‘unreservedly’ on the council’s behalf.
While the inspection found examples of effective services, Ofsted and the CQC outlined three areas for priority action and seven areas for improvement.
Bracknell Forest Council is submitting a priority action plan to the Department for Education.
Draft plans say the council will create a new SEND strategic improvement and assurance board which will meet monthly.
It will also summarise how many children have SEND in the borough and forecast future trends.
The plan also says the council will conduct a ‘thorough’ review of current SEND data, identifying gaps and areas for improvement.
Analysis will also be done between the services and provision required versus services and provision available.
Staff should have a ‘shared understanding’ of what a ‘good quality’ Education and health care plan (EHCP) is – a key document that sets out a child’s needs.
When these are up for an annual review, this process should be ‘timely’ with EHCPs effectively reflecting a child’s up to date needs.
Performance data will also be embedded across all levels of governance for leaders to assess progress against.
In April, Cllr Bailey said: “We want the best possible start to life for all our children and young people and so we know we must continue with our improvement plans so they get the right, education, health and care support.
“We are absolutely determined in our commitment to improve.”
Bracknell MP Peter Swallow said the report “has put in black and white what parents have been saying for too long”.
The Labour MP said: “Steps in the right direction have been made, but change must be deep and lasting – and this report gives all partners a pathway to success.”
The draft priority action plan will be discussed at the council’s Education, Skills and Growth Overview and Scrutiny Panel on Monday, May 12.
