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In a recent stocktake visit, officers from the DfE reported progress in governance, quality assurance and timeliness, leadership and multi-agency working. They praised a shared commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND and laid out a number of recommendations for further improvement.
SEND services in Suffolk are delivered in partnership by Suffolk County Council, the NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) and NHS Norfolk and Waveney ICB, the Suffolk Parent Carer Forum and education settings.
The findings of the stocktake visit have been published in a letter addressed to Sarah-Jane Smedmor, Executive Director of Children & Young People's Services at Suffolk County Council, and Dr Ed Garratt OBE, Chief Executive Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board. You can read the letter here.
The DfE acknowledged work to clear the backlog of Education Health and Care Plans (EHCP) by January and the fact that plans will be delivered above the national average for timeliness. Officers noted a need to ensure that plans reflect families’ views and lead to timely, appropriate support.
However, whilst noting considerable improvement evidenced by data, the DfE emphasised the need to translate activity into measurable impact for families, acknowledging that too many families are yet to feel the benefit of this. It also reported that families still experience frustration, especially around statutory processes and communication, and that some planned activities have yet to start, including work to prepare children for adulthood, but steps for effective action are being developed to address this. Concerns also remain about waiting times and assessment for neurodevelopmental needs.
Sarah-Jane Smedmor, Executive Director of Children & Young People's Services at Suffolk County Council, said:
“We welcome the Department for Education’s recognition of the progress made across Suffolk, while being clear that we must go further and faster to ensure families genuinely feel the difference.
“Scrutiny from the Department for Education is extremely important as it holds a mirror to every area of reform, offering expertise and sharing best practice from across the country. We know that progress is being made and we are heading in the right direction, but it is doubly reassuring that colleagues at the DfE agree.
“Our priority now is translating those improvements into real, measurable impact for all children and young people with SEND and their families.”
Dr Ed Garratt OBE, Chief Executive Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board, said:
“Improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND depends on strong, joined-up working across education, health and care.
“The progress highlighted in the stocktake reflects the benefits of closer integration, shared leadership and clearer accountability across the system. We are committed to continuing this work, particularly in strengthening mental health and neurodevelopmental pathways and ensuring that children, young people and families receive the right support at the right time.”
Sue Willgoss, chair of trustees for the Suffolk Parent Carer Forum, statutory co-production partner, said:
“Some parents and carers appreciate that there has been progress in some areas, but many families are still not experiencing the consistent, high-quality support they need.
“It is vital that improvements in process are driven by genuine co-production, matched by quality and better lived experiences for families. Once meaningful change is established, it needs to be embedded so the same old problems don’t appear again.”
The DfE letter sets out clear next steps for the partnership, including:
The next review of SEND services by the DfE is scheduled for the end of the spring term.