Surrey County Council Leader releases statement following letter from Liberal Democrat MPs criticising SEND provision
Surrey's 6 Lib Dems have signed a letter where they outlined their concerns.
Last updated 24th Aug 2024
Surrey County Council's leader has released a statement after a letter was sent to him by the county's six Lib Dem MPS. The MPs said they are "deeply concerned" by the "crisis in SEND provision in Surrey"
Tim Oliver says they that "know there are fundamental issues across the SEND system" but added that the council is "resolute" in their ambition to improve services.
"We are working hard to improve services and our most recent Local Area SEND inspection noted progress is underway."
In the letter, the MPs say there has been a decline in the timeliness and a compromise in the quality of Education Health and Care Plans, and a "disproportionately high level of complaints".
An EHCP sets out the support that a young person with special educational needs requires.
The letter has been signed by the county's six Liberal Democrat MPs, who were all elected back in July for the first time. They also expressed concern within the letter about how parents of children with EHCPs only have a month to choose a school. Dorking and Horley MP Chris Coghlan described parents only having a month to make that decision as "brutal"
Tim Oliver, Leader of Surrey County Council, said: “We know that there are fundamental issues across the SEND system and that families with children that have additional needs do not always get the experience or outcomes that they should. We are working hard to improve services and our most recent Local Area SEND inspection noted progress is underway.
“I have proactively written to all Surrey MPs about this issue and have a meeting with MPs next month. I will also look into this letter and respond. We are resolute in our ambition to continue to improve services and outcomes for children and young people with additional needs and disabilities so that they are happy, healthy, safe and confident about their future.”