Written statement of action produced following Shropshire SEND inspection
A joint SEND (special educational needs and disability) Inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Ofsted took place in Shropshire across health, social care and education between 27 and 31 January 2020.
The inspection was of Shropshire Council, Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and its commissioned health providers, as well as schools, colleges and other education settings, care providers and other key stakeholders – also known as the Shropshire ‘local area’.
The final letter was published on 6 May 2020 and identified many strengths, including the positive education outcomes for Shropshire children and young people with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) that attend mainstream schools and colleges.
A number of concerns were identified by the inspection and, as a result of these findings and, in accordance with the Children Act 2004 (Joint Area Reviews) Regulations 2015, the Chief Inspector determined that the Shropshire ‘local area’ was required to produce a Written Statement of Action (WSoA).
Shropshire Council, Shropshire CCG and the Parent and Carer Council (PACC) have worked together to develop this co-produced WSoA that identifies the actions that will be taken by all partners to secure timely improvement, as well as providing an indication of what difference we expect these actions to make to our children and young people with SEND and their families. This will ensure that SEND is a priority for everybody and that all partners recognise the importance of SEND.
Follow the link to see and read the Shropshire Written Statement of Action.
Ed Potter, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children’s services, said:
“Since the inspection in January partners have worked together to agree the WSoA, which was co-produced with parents and carers. This takes account of all six priority areas identified within the inspection report as well as the aspirations of the SEND community identified within the SEND Strategy.’’
“We have received feedback from Ofsted/CQC that the submitted action plan has been accepted as, ‘fit for purpose’, and that it meets the requirement of inspectors.
“Shropshire Council and Shropshire CCG are committed to partnership working and all future development will be underpinned by the principals of co-operation.”
Dr Julian Povey, Joint Chair of Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin CCGs, said:
“We are committed to achieving the objectives set out in the WSoA to address the shortcomings highlighted in the inspection.
“We recognise the areas of concern and that through joint working and coproduction with our partners we must make the necessary improvements to secure a future where children and young people with SEND can expect and have the same opportunities in life as others.”
The Shropshire Parent Carer Council (PACC) has welcomed the partnership approach taken to the development of the WSoA. A PACC spokesperson said:
‘’We look forward to continuing to work in this way with Shropshire Council and the CCG, to ensure that the parent carer voice remains central to all activity and decision making during the implementation phase of the Statement.’’
