'Significant concerns' raised over child SEND care

Inspectors have raised "significant concerns" about the experiences and outcomes for children and young people in Leeds with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Ofsted said there were "widespread and/or systemic failings" from Leeds City Council and the West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, who are responsible for the services as part of the Leeds Health and Care Partnership.

They must now produce a priority action plan outlining what action will be taken to address the failings.

In a statement, the Partnership said they "fully accept" the findings, which they said provide a "clear starting point for the next stage of improvement".

CQC inspectors said "too many" children and young people with SEND were waiting "an unacceptable length" of time to have their needs "accurately assessed and met" in Leeds.

As a result, their needs were not being met fast enough.

The inspection report concluded: "Some families who are in need of support feel lost in the system and children and young people's needs escalate."

The quality of education, health and care (EHC) plans was also described as "poor".

"Many EHC plans do not reflect the aspirations and ambitions of children and young people, particularly as they approach adulthood," inspectors said.

There were also disparities in access and experience of health provision, depending on the educational settings children and young people attended.

Outlining the areas for priority action, the report said the partnership must "ensure that EHC plans better reflect the current needs and provision for the child or young person" and be "completed and issued in a more timely way".

Children should receive "the continued communication and support that they need while they wait", it added.

It called on partnership leaders to improve the transition for children and young people between children's and adults' services and improve their strategy for preparing children and young people with SEND for adulthood.

They should also ensure "equitable health provision across schools in the city".

The report did praise the work of health practitioners working in the city, citing the benefits of their knowledge and skills on children and young people with SEND and their families.

The partnership's new leadership had also "implemented appropriate changes to leadership and governance structures with a view to improving the provision for children and young people with SEND".

Alan lamb, leader of the Conservative Group on Leeds City Council, who make up the largest opposition party, said the report's findings "should concern everyone across Leeds".

"For years, Conservative councillors have raised concerns on behalf of families who felt exhausted, frustrated and abandoned by a system they simply could not navigate.

"Time and again, we were assured that things were under control. This independent report makes clear that those concerns were justified."

In a joint statement, Leeds City Council and the NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board said they take "full responsibility" for the findings.

"The recommendations identified by the inspection will build on action already underway to address these issues," the said.

"Too many families are waiting too long for the support they need, and we are fully committed to putting that right. Our focus now is on delivering rapid and sustained improvement."

They added: "We are determined to build on the strengths identified in the report, address the areas where we need to do better, and make sure children and young people with SEND receive the support, opportunities and outcomes they deserve."

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