'Inconsistencies' found in county's SEND service

Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission published a report on East Yorkshire's SEND service

Inspectors have found "inconsistent experiences and outcomes" in how children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in East Yorkshire are cared for.

Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission said some parents felt unsupported and anxious due to their limited understanding of the SEND system, according to a report published on Monday.

Councillor Victoria Aitken, East Riding of Yorkshire Council's portfolio holder for children and young people's education, health and wellbeing, said the inspection highlighted progress, but the authority received "the lowest funding for high needs out of 150 areas".

The Department for Education has been approached for comment.

The council and NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) make up the local area partnership for SEND provision in East Yorkshire.

The inspection was carried out between 22 and 26 September, four years after the previous inspection in 2021.

Councillor Victoria Aitken said she was pleased the report "highlights progress has been made" following the previous inspection

The report found that, despite the majority of children receiving education, health and care plans "in a timely manner", the quality of some plans was "inconsistent".

Social care input was "either missing, not requested for annual review or not embedded in the wider outcomes", the report stated.

It said children and young people experienced "long waits for some health services".

These included waits for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) intervention, speech and language therapy, wheelchair provision and cognitive behavioural therapy.

The report also found leaders were "committed to improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND", with the development of enhanced provision in mainstream education settings "helping to meet needs more effectively".

'National crisis'

Paula South, director of nursing at NHS Humber and North Yorkshire ICB, said: "We are working closely with our partners to address these challenges and ensure that children and young people receive timely, high-quality care and support.

"Together, we remain committed to listening to families and making the changes that will make a real difference to their lives."

Addressing the "inconsistencies", Aitken said there was "a national crisis with insufficient funding and increasing needs".

She said: "East Riding is one of the largest local authorities and receives the lowest funding for high needs out of 150 areas."

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