Dedicated county council SEND role abolished

The local authority said a single post would "effectively oversee ongoing progress"

A county council will not bring back a dedicated lead member for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), despite the authority having "widespread, systemic failings" in the area.

Oxfordshire County Council created the SEND cabinet position following a critical Ofsted report in 2023.

But it reversed the decision in May, after improvements were reported in the service.

A proposal to reinstate the position to "restore confidence and sharpen responsibility" was voted down by the council on Tuesday, with the authority saying a single post will "effectively oversee ongoing progress."

Parents of SEND children in Oxfordshire have previously expressed their disappointment at the dissolution of the role.

Dr Claire Brenner from Oxfordshire's SEND Parent Action group said the role "symbolised focus", giving families a "named champion".

She described the decision to remove it as "a backwards and deeply worrying move".

Conservative councillor James Plumb, shadow cabinet member for children and young people, said bringing back the position would "restore confidence and sharpen responsibility" in the system.

He added it would be a "practical and meaningful step in the right direction".

But council leader Liz Leffman said the decision to merge the positions was important as they should not look at SEND in isolation.

Ms Leffman said the council would be having another Ofsted report shortly and that having one person to oversee children's services, including SEND, was "the right way forward".

The county council said it was committed to supporting children and young people with SEND.

A spokesperson for the authority said: "Department for Education inspectors have acknowledged recent improvements and while we will never be complacent, we are confident that the single cabinet member post for children and young people... will effectively oversee ongoing progress, bringing SEND and education together in one portfolio, rather than us having a dedicated SEND portfolio holder".

The council confirmed it would be willing to revise this decision in the future if needed.