Ofsted calls for action after report finds 'widespread failings' in SEND services across Worcestershire
The inspection was carried out in April this year
The Worcestershire Local Area Partnership have apologised, after an Ofsted report showed there to be 'widespread systematic failings', leading to 'significant concerns', about their special educational needs services.
An inspection carried out in April this year by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission said there were too many children and young people with SEND in the county, "waiting an unacceptable time to have their needs accurately identified, assessed and met."
While it was recognised area leaders have correctly identified many of the issues, the report calls for the partnership to address them urgently.
A joint statement released by the partnership, on behalf of NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire Integrated Care Board, Worcestershire Children First and Worcestershire County Council said: "“We fully accept their findings and recommendations on what the Worcestershire Local Area Partnership needs to improve.
"Whilst the report recognises that progress has been made in some areas, the partnership would like to apologise to those children and young people with SEND who have not received the timely support they need.
“We face similar challenges to partnerships up and down the country, however we know that more can be done locally.
"As a Partnership, we are committed to reducing waiting times and providing better support for those children and young people who are currently waiting. We want children and young people with SEND to feel truly seen and respected as individuals and this will be a key priority for us in further developing our co-production of services.”
The next full inspection will take place within three years, along with a monitoring inspection due in the next 18 months.