Munsif Dad urges Philippa Williamson to fix failing SEND services after a damning Ofsted report exposes critical issues.
The SEND partnership, which includes local groups, aims to assist kids with special needs. However, another official, Azhar Ali, is calling for Jayne Rear’s resignation, citing failures in education services. Dad echoed this sentiment, labeling the Ofsted report as terrible, highlighting significant failures harming children and families.
Kids with SEND are struggling significantly, especially in Hyndburn, where parents find it tough to get needed support. Dad attributes these problems to years of neglect and poor planning, pointing to daily struggles faced by families. They need school spots and real support aligned with their specific needs.
Instead, families often encounter long delays and confusion. This underscores the core issue is, as further evidenced by the Ofsted report, the system’s inadequacy. There is a shortage of special school places and inconsistencies in support across the region, leading to suffering among vulnerable children. Dad is advocating for increased investment in SEND to ensure every child receives the appropriate support.
Dad intends to write to Williamson, urging her to swiftly address these concerns. Ali further asserted that children with special needs have been failed for years, citing the Conservative party’s neglect of parents. Williamson responded, clarifying that the inspection encompassed the entire SEND partnership, reflecting broader issues prevalent across various regions, not unique to Lancashire.
The high volume of requests for SEND services, particularly for education, health, and care plans, necessitates additional staff to manage the workload. A £5 million investment is intended to tackle this issue. Councillors recently approved expanding six special schools and incorporating SEND units into nine regular schools, aiming to accommodate the rising demand for specialist help, with changes anticipated to begin in 2025.
Approximately 265 new spaces will become available during that timeframe. Inspectors maintain confidence in the SEND group’s ability to implement improvements and are optimistic about the current direction. Williamson affirmed their collective commitment to improvement, with the ultimate goal of ensuring the best outcomes for all children.