Durham’s SEND Service Requires Action Due to ‘Inconsistent’ Outcomes

An inspection has determined that measures are necessary to address “inconsistent experiences and outcomes” within a local authority’s Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND) service. This assessment of the Durham Local Area Partnership was conducted by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC). An action plan, submitted to Durham County Council, incorporated a commitment for collaborative efforts among partners from education, health, and care sectors. During the meeting, it was also communicated that the council aims to establish additional specialist provisions for children with SEND by autumn 2025. Furthermore, the report indicated that the authority and its local area partners must enhance the standard of assessments for children who might require access to the service, while acknowledging improvements in assessment timeliness. It also recommended that partners endeavor to shorten waiting times for individuals seeking Child and Adolescent Mental Health services (CAHMS) and neurodevelopmental assistance. Conversely, the Local Democracy Reporting Service noted that inspectors identified a reduction in persistent absenteeism as a strength within the existing SEND services. The inspectors also concluded that the local area partnership’s provisions generally resulted in favorable experiences and outcomes, with children and young people reporting that they felt “valued, visible, included in their communities, and listened to”. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.