Leeds Health and Care Partnership - Response to area SEND inspection report

We fully accept the findings, including the areas where urgent improvement is needed. As a partnership Leeds City Council and NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board take full responsibility, and the recommendations identified by the inspection will build on action already underway to address these issues. 

We know that delays in Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and neurodevelopmental assessments have had a real impact on children, young people and their families. Too many families are waiting too long for the support they need, and we are fully committed to putting that right. Our focus now is on delivering rapid and sustained improvement.

The report also recognises important strengths across Leeds. Inspectors highlighted the dedication of schools, colleges, health services, social care teams, family hubs and many other professionals supporting children and young people with SEND. We would like to thank professionals, parent carers, voluntary sector partners, and children and young people themselves for the part they have played in supporting the inspection and shaping services across the city.

The report highlights that we are already taking steps to strengthen leadership, improve oversight and make services work better for children, young people and families. Earlier this year we strengthened our governance through our partnership arrangements and established a formal SEND Improvement Board, with independent chairing, to provide clear oversight, accountability and pace to the delivery of these improvements. We know, however, that there is much more to do.

We will continue to work closely with children, young people, families and partners across Leeds to deliver the improvements that are needed, and are keen to work with central government to align this work with the national SEND reforms. We are determined to build on the strengths identified in the report, address the areas where we need to do better, and make sure children and young people with SEND receive the support, opportunities and outcomes they deserve.

We will submit our SEND improvement plan to the Department for Education and NHS England within the next seven weeks and provide regular updates on the progress we are making.

The full report can be read here.