Kent special educational needs and disability serices in need of significant improvements, inspection finds

By Local Democracy Reporter Simon Finlay

An  inspection of special educational needs and disability (SEND) services in Kent has identified significant areas in need of improvement.

A report compiled by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission followed a five day review of services at Reform UK-led Kent County Council (KCC) in July.

The six-person inspection team identified six areas of improvement to be addressed by KCC and the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB), known as the Local Area Partnership (LAP), which are responsible for SEND provision.

The eight-page report points to an inconsistent service which often leads to “a lengthy and stressful process” and “continued dissatisfaction, anxiety and reduced confidence”.

KCC said in a statement that the review is a “fair assessment of where we are”.

The Liberal Democrat opposition at KCC says that the cabinet member for education and skills, Beverley Fordham, should “do the honourable thing” and step down.

‘Inconsistent’

The Ofsted/CQC report’s conclusions states: “The LAP’s arrangements lead to inconsistent experiences and outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The local area partnership must work jointly to make improvements.”

Among the recommendations made by the inspectors, the partnership must: improve the “quality, timeliness and oversight” of education, health and care plans (EHCPs); reduce “geographical variation” in SEND services and support; strengthen the use of data to improve strategic planning and address delays in assessment, provision and placement decisions to avoid escalation.

KCC and the ICB have come in for critical reports in 2019 and 2022, when the Conservatives were in charge of the council.

In September 2022, an inspection showed the authorities were making insufficient progress in some areas and weaknesses in others.

In March 2023, an improvement notice was issued for progress to be made and was in place until August 2024, by which time the government minister noted “considerable progress” had been made.

The latest report acknowledges young people with SEND in Kent have “varied experiences”.

It states: “Some receive timely, well-coordinated support, while others face delays in assessment across education, health and care, uncertainty about support arrangements and difficulties accessing help.

“As a result, children with similar needs can have very different experiences depending on their age, locality and the services available to them.

“For some families, securing appropriate support remains a lengthy and stressful process, contributing to continued dissatisfaction, anxiety and reduced confidence in local services.”

The report noted “effective multi-agency working” which helps young people access SEN services and “remain engaged in education and achieve better outcomes”.

It adds: “Some families describe coordinated support from professionals who know children well. However, a number of parents continue to report frustration with communication, decision-making and access to support.

“Some feel they must repeatedly explain their circumstances and advocate persistently to secure help, leading to uncertainty about available support and next steps.”

‘Progress’

KCC has accepted the contents of the report, that families are seeing improvements in SEND but their experiences “are still not consistent.”

The council said of three possible results – positive experiences and outcomes; inconsistent experiences and outcomes or widespread and systemic failings – Kent was awarded the second.

It added that progress has been made in the quality of EHCPs, more inclusive support in schools, better joined up working between services and earlier help for some young people.

A KCC statement said inspectors “found that stronger partnership working, a growing focus on need rather than diagnosis and improved strategic leadership are helping to address many of the historic weaknesses identified in previous inspections.”

Cllr Fordham accepted that “for some families, the findings in this report will feel familiar”.

She added: “We know that not every child and young person is getting the experience they should when they need support and we understand how frustrating that can be for parents and carers.

“But for the first time in many years, KCC is no longer systemically failing children and families with SEND.”

Jennie Hall, Chief Nursing, Experience and Quality Officer at NHS Kent and Medway, said: “We welcome the report’s recognition of stronger leadership, needs-led support and partnership working.

“We also recognise that families do not yet experience consistently timely and equitable support. Working with our partners, we are committed to improving data and oversight, reducing delays and variation, and strengthening co-production and preparation for adulthood.

“Work is already underway to address the recommendations and update our strategic plans. We will build on the progress already made and remain focused on delivering better, more consistent outcomes for children and young people with SEND and their families.”

Six areas

A Local Area Strategic Plan will focus on the six areas identified by the inspectors. KCC says these are:

One: ensuring leaders have a clearer understanding of the impact of services and interventions on the experiences and outcomes of children and young people with SEND;

Two: improving the quality, timeliness and oversight of Education, Health and Care Plans that are a part of annual reviews;

Three: strengthening communication, engagement and co-production with children, young people, families and education providers;

Four: reducing variation and improving consistency of support across the county;

Five: improving preparation for adulthood and helping more young people with SEN support status to achieve positive next steps into education, employment and independent living;

Six: ensuring improvements are embedded and experienced consistently by children, young people and families.