Oxfordshire's Special Educational Needs and Disabilities ('SEND') Service
The following motion has been proposed by Councillor Eddie Reeves and seconded by Councillor Nigel Simpson.
“This Council recognises that support for children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (‘SEND’) is of utmost importance. This Council regrets that too many SEND families have been let down.
This Council notes with regret OFSTED’s observations that “leaders have not acted effectively enough” to address “widespread and/or systematic failings” within local services. It is unacceptable that:
“Too many children and young people do not receive the right help until they are close to crisis”.
This Council accepts OFSTED’s conclusions and resolves to work on a cross-party basis to develop urgent improvements to ensure that families rebuild trust and confidence in countywide SEND provision.
Recalling this Council’s motion of 13 December 2022, the Leader is requested to:
1. Work with SEND families, Cabinet colleagues and scrutiny Chairs to deliver – and ensure proper oversight of – service and process improvements;
2. Investigate and report to members as to where more targeted funding would assist such improvements and where internal processes could be changed to ensure better outcomes without additional expenditure;
3. Ensure that SEND provision is a key priority in future budgets of her administration; and
4. Regularly attend SEND Carers’ Forum meetings and other appropriate fora, ensuring that the Leaders of all political Groups are duly invited, together with the Chair of the People Scrutiny Committee, to facilitate ongoing cross-party dialogue with families.
This Council resolves to accelerate the deliberations of the Future Council Governance Group on the configuration of scrutiny committees to ensure closer oversight of this vital policy area.”
Decision:
The motion was passed unanimously (56 in favour, 0 against, 0 abstentions).
Minutes:
Councillor Eddie Reeves moved and Councillor Nigel SImpson seconded the following motion:
“This Council recognises that support for children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (‘SEND’) is of utmost importance. This Council regrets that too many SEND families have been let down.
This Council notes with regret OFSTED’s observations that “leaders have not acted effectively enough” to address “widespread and/or systematic failings” within local services. It is unacceptable that:
“Too many children and young people do not receive the right help until they are close to crisis”.
This Council accepts OFSTED’s conclusions and resolves to work on a cross-party basis to develop urgent improvements to ensure that families rebuild trust and confidence in countywide SEND provision.
Recalling this Council’s motion of 13 December 2022, the Leader is requested to:
1. Work with SEND families, Cabinet colleagues and scrutiny Chairs to deliver – and ensure proper oversight of – service and process improvements;
2. Investigate and report to members as to where more targeted funding would assist such improvements and where internal processes could be changed to ensure better outcomes without additional expenditure;
3. Ensure that SEND provision is a key priority in future budgets of her administration; and
4. Regularly attend SEND Carers’ Forum meetings and other appropriate fora, ensuring that the Leaders of all political Groups are duly invited, together with the Chair of the People Scrutiny Committee, to facilitate ongoing cross-party dialogue with families.
This Council resolves to accelerate the deliberations of the Future Council Governance Group on the configuration of scrutiny committees to ensure closer oversight of this vital policy area.”
After debate the motion was put to a vote. The motion was carried with 56 in favour, none against and no abstentions.
RESOLVED (unanimously) that :
“This Council recognises that support for children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (‘SEND’) is of utmost importance. This Council regrets that too many SEND families have been let down.
This Council notes with regret OFSTED’s observations that “leaders have not acted effectively enough” to address “widespread and/or systematic failings” within local services. It is unacceptable that:
“Too many children and young people do not receive the right help until they are close to crisis”.
This Council accepts OFSTED’s conclusions and resolves to work on a cross-party basis to develop urgent improvements to ensure that families rebuild trust and confidence in countywide SEND provision.
Recalling this Council’s motion of 13 December 2022, the Leader is requested to:
1. Work with SEND families, Cabinet colleagues and scrutiny Chairs to deliver – and ensure proper oversight of – service and process improvements;
2. Investigate and report to members as to where more targeted funding would assist such improvements and where internal processes could be changed to ensure better outcomes without additional expenditure;
3. Ensure that SEND provision is a key priority in future budgets of her administration; and
4. Regularly attend SEND Carers’ Forum meetings and other appropriate fora, ensuring that the Leaders of all political Groups are duly invited, ... view the full minutes text for item 76