Inspectors have given a positive report for how Bedford Borough Local Area Partnership provides for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) carry out inspections at councils across the country, and returned to Bedford Borough from 18-22 November.
The report describes how children in Bedford Borough have their “voices heard effectively”, with the parent and carers’ forum (PCF) being a key part of the partnership. It also cites a culture of co-working with children and families to help to shape services.
It adds; “Mostly, the needs of children and young people with SEND are identified early and accurately across education, health and social care. For example, assessments from the disabled children’s service are timely and thorough.
“Waiting times in many health services have decreased, which aids the prompt identification of SEND.
“Education, health and care (EHC) plans are completed with excellent timeliness. This means children and young people with SEND do not normally experience frustrating delays before the area identifies and puts plans in place to meet their needs.”
When children are awaiting neurodevelopmental assessments, the report describes the “effective support” that is provided.
It adds; “This is not dependent on a diagnosis. For instance, while waiting, children and young people find direction and encouragement through mentoring programmes or through online information, support and gaming groups.”
The report also highlights the “effective support” for children and young people, both in the community and as they transition into adulthood.
It says; “Their needs are met at the right time by the early help team.
“Young people with SEND get a lot of well-considered guidance as they prepare for adulthood. Programmes such as work placements, job coaching and supported internships build their employability skills.
“As a result, the proportion of children and young people with SEND who are not in education, employment or training is very low.
“Across the area, children and young people with SEND are valued within their communities. Well-attended activities such as those arranged via the ‘Summer of SEND’ make them feel integrated.
“An ‘Inclusive Park’ was initiated by leaders listening to the voice of children and young people with SEND. This is one example of effective co-working with children and young people with SEND from the ground up.”
Bedford Borough Council and the NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (ICB) are responsible for planning and commissioning services to meet the needs of children and young people with SEND in Bedford Borough, as part of the Bedford Borough local area partnership. The Bedford Borough partnership oversees the commissioning of local education, social care and health provision for children and young people with SEND.
The partnership commissions a range of alternative provision (AP). This includes provision for children or young people who may be at risk of being or have been permanently excluded.
The report does offer some areas for improvement. It says; “Results in national educational tests and assessments for children and young people with SEND are lower than national results.
“The partnership has established a longterm strategy to address this. However, it is too early to evaluate the effect of this.”
And it adds; “There are gaps in a small number of health services. In particular, there is no commissioned service to assess and diagnose learning disabilities. This may hinder those affected from accessing the services they require.
“Furthermore, although there are hydrotherapy pools available, a lack of staff and limited maintenance of the pools result in them not being accessed by those who need them.”
A spokesperson for Bedford Borough Council said; “This was a positive inspection outcome overall and highlights the strengths of the Local Area Partnership in respect of meeting the needs of children with SEND.
“As an Area SEND Partnership we also recognise and acknowledge that some children and families have not had positive experiences or outcomes and we know that there is still work to do in some areas. The Local Area Partnership is committed to continue our improvement journey and we will be taking the areas for improvement identified by Ofsted and the CQC and adding these to our SEND Improvement action plan.
“We are confident that through our strong partnership working and through continued coproduction with the Parent Carer Forum we can continue to build on the strengths identified and to address the area that require further improvement to ensure all children with SEND have positive experiences and outcomes.”
The full report can be read at https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50268244.
Published: 4 February 2025
