Council to hear from parents of children with Send

Hertfordshire County Council is holding five "listening" events for parents of children with Send, ahead of a Send summit in September

A council that received the lowest inspection rating for its special educational needs and disabilities (Send) services is holding a series of feedback events for parents.

Hertfordshire County Council, which has a Liberal Democrat minority administration, has five listening events for people to share experiences ahead of its Send summit in September.

Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission have identified "widespread" and "systemic failings" in its Send provision.

But Lib Dem councillor Hillary Skoczylas said it was a "very sensitive and complicated issue" and the authority was speaking directly to people as it recognised "this has a huge impact on the whole family's life".

Lib Dem councillor Hillary Skoczylas said there had been Send service improvements in Hertfordshire, but admitted there was a long way to go.

In November 2023, inspectors found children with Send in Hertfordshire had to wait too long to be assessed.

In October 2024, the former Conservative administration recruited 138 staff for a new Send academy.

In May 2025, the Tories lost control of the authority at the local elections, with the Lib Dems forming a minority government.

Skoczylas, deputy member for education, SEND and inclusion, said the listening events were important to hear what was happening on the ground.

She said: "You can have the policies and data, but there can be a disconnect between the strategic and real experience."

After "looking at the data" she felt there had been big improvements in the service, but that they were from "a very low base" and there was "room for huge improvement".

Jane, a parent of two sons with Send, said the event was "the first time she had been asked to contribute her thoughts"

Jane's two adopted sons have Send. She said it was the first time she "had been asked to contribute my thoughts" so was "really pleased that happened".

She said "most parents of children with Send could talk for a year in this room", but she added she had felt listened to.

Jane said her family were "thankful for all the support we have had" but sometimes it "had not been there when we really needed it".

Emma said she felt parents were being listened to, but there was "no magic wand to resolve everything as everything takes a lot of funding"

Emma said her six-year-old daughter has various conditions, including undiagnosed Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

She told the BBC her daughter had been at school for two years, but was "really struggling" as she masked her conditions.

She had questions for councillors about school placement allocations as she said, in Hertfordshire, "they do it on catchment areas, but if your child has Send then they might not fit into schools in that area".

She felt parents were listened to, but conceded there was "no magic wand to resolve everything" due to a lack of funding.

She said it was "positive" there were free courses available to parents, but added: "It can be difficult for some parents that don't necessarily know what is out there."