SEND children face complex care system - report

The SEND services were given the middle rating of "inconsistent experiences and outcomes"

Children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Surrey are being confronted with a system that is difficult to understand, a report has found.

An inspection by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) at Surrey Additional Needs and Disabilities Partnership also found people were experiencing long wait times for health assessments.

A report from the watchdogs made numerous recommendations for improvement, but also noted areas of good practice.

Clare Curran, from Surrey County Council (SCC), described the findings as a "fair reflection" of areas for focus and further improvement, as well as of good practice.

The partnership is led by SCC and NHS Frimley and NHS Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care Boards.

The report said its system was “hard to understand and navigate”, and it gave the partnership a middle rating of "inconsistent experiences and outcomes ".

Inspectors noted some parents and carers “feel ‘bounced about’ and confused”, and “services appear disjointed and uncaring”.

Communication with parents and carers was in need of improvement, the report said.

The Ofsted and CQC inspection took place from 11-29 September

The report also found partnership working led to improvements, including with the early identification of young people's needs.

And leaders had been creative in addressing rising mental health needs, the report also said.

The partnership said it will take action to improve communication and reduce waiting times for health assessments.

Tracey Faraday-Drake, director for children and young people for NHS Frimley said: “We reaffirm our total and unwavering commitment to doing all we can to deliver improvements and reach a place where all these children and young people have positive experiences and outcomes.”