Mum critical of Send provision hired to improve it

Mandy Grimes hoped by working in the Send team, she could help improve communication and empathy

A mum who admitted she "wasn't the biggest fan" of special educational needs and disabilities (Send) provision in a county has now been employed to help improve it.

Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) identified "widespread" and "systemic failings" in the Hertfordshire County Council's service last year.

It received the lowest rating possible with some children found to have been waiting more than 78 weeks for help.

Mandy Grimes, who has a son with Send, is one of 138 staff members that has since been recruited by the authority as part of a new academy.

Push for empathy

The idea for the academy was first discussed in January 2023 and a recruitment day was held in September 2023 - just two months before inspectors released the report that found children with Send in Hertfordshire were waiting too long to be assessed.

Ms Grimes attended the jobs fair, as she was interested in the fact that she would not need a qualification but would get training instead. Now she works as an education, health and care co-ordinator.

She admitted that when her own son went through the Send process, her family found it difficult due to a "lack of communication and empathy".

She felt she "brought that [the qualities] to her new team".

"There are those changes in place, and I can see that with my colleagues, there is a real push for compassion and empathy," she added.

"We now understand the impact it has when there is a good quality plan."

Director for inclusion and skills at Hertfordshire County Council, Hero Slinn, feels the authority now has the right people in place.

Hero Slinn, director for inclusion and skills at Hertfordshire County Council, said: "Last quarter we had more compliments than complaints, which is always a good marker and we had not had that for many years before."

She added: "We have got the right people in place and the feedback we are starting to get is positive."