Cross-borough improvement in support for children with SEND

Progress has been made by all partners working to support children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in Kingston according to Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission.

Inspectors visited the borough between 4 and 6 October 2022 in a follow up to the area’s last inspection in November 2018. They spoke to children and young people with SEND, parents and carers, representatives from Kingston’s parent carer forum, the local authority and the NHS. 

They found sufficient progress had been made in each of the four areas identified for improvement at the last visit. They highlighted leadership, positive and productive relationships with parents and carers, and significant improvements in the quality and monitoring of Education, Health and Care plans. Children and young people said they found the annual reviews of these plans useful and felt their voices were heard. 

Chair of the SEND Partnership Board and Chief Executive of Kingston Council Ian Thomas CBE said: 

“This is a fantastic achievement. Ofsted and Care Quality Commission inspectors found that despite the pandemic, we have made sufficient progress in all areas identified for improvement in supporting children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. I’m incredibly proud of the hard work many at Kingston Council, Achieving for Children and South West London NHS have put in, we will continue to strive to deliver the very best for our children and families.”

Kingston Council’s Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services including Education Councillor Steph Archer said: 

“The report by Ofsted and Care Quality Commission inspectors clearly sets out the progress that’s been made by all partners across the borough working to support children with additional needs. We’ve taken really positive strides forward since our last inspection and I want to thank all those who have worked so hard to ensure we are doing all we can to enable our young people to fulfil their potential.”

Read the full report on the Ofsted website.

In October, Kingston Council's Children's Services Provider Achieving for Children held the third SEND Futures Conference at Twickenham Stoop. The event brought together parents, carers, young people and practitioners to continue the work to improves services across the borough. Watch the video below to hear from Kingston Council's Director of Children's Services Ian Dodds and Co-Chair of Kingston Parent Carer Forun Beverley Pass about why the event was important.

Published: 16th November 2022