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Approval for cross-party approach to address SEND problems
13/10/2023
Unanimous support for directive to Council administration following damning Ofsted report
A cross-party approach to improve the outcomes for children with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND) in Oxfordshire has been approved following an extraordinary meeting of the County Council today.
A recent damning Ofsted report described the provision as having widespread and systematic failings.
A motion proposed by Banbury Calthorpe Conservative Councillor Eddie Reeves, who is the leader of the opposition, mandated collaborative work (including with parents) to improve the SEND service, with targeted funding and a position as a key priority in the current administration’s future budgets.
The Council’s Leader, Liberal Democrat Liz Leffman, was charged with regularly attending SEND Carers’ Forum meetings, with the Leaders of all other political groups also invited.
The motion concluded: “This Council recognises that support for children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities is of utmost importance. This Council regrets that too many SEND families have been let down.”
The motion was passed unanimously.
The County Council says that progress is already being made in improving the timeliness of education, health and care plans for those who need them. At the end of last month 48 per cent of assessments were being processed within statutory timeframes compared to four per cent in January 2023.
Councillor Kate Gregory is Oxfordshire County Council’s new Cabinet Member for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Improvement. She said: “My new role is to ensure a constant focus in rapid action to deliver significant improvements. Our priorities must be on rebuilding trust with parents and children.
“The voices of parents, carers and children and their lived experiences are central to our improvement work. Only by listening, engaging and understanding will we achieve our joint aim of ensuring better outcomes consistently for the most vulnerable children and young people in the county.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam