SEND Inspection - Written Statement of Action
Between 1 October 2018 and 5 October 2018, Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC), conducted a joint inspection of the local area of Southend-on-Sea to judge the effectiveness of the area in implementing the disability and special educational needs reforms as set out in the Children and Families Act 2014.
The inspection was led by one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors from Ofsted, with a team of inspectors, including an Ofsted Inspector and a Children’s Services Inspector from the CQC.
Inspectors spoke with children and young people who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and parents and carers, along with local authority and NHS officers. They visited a range of providers and spoke to leaders, staff and governors about how they are implementing the disability and special educational needs reforms. Inspectors looked at a range of information about the performance of the local area, including the local area’s self-evaluation. Inspectors met with leaders from the local area for health, social care and education. They reviewed performance data and evidence about the local offer and joint commissioning.
As a result of the findings of this inspection and in accordance with the Children Act 2004 (Joint Area Reviews) Regulations 2015, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector (HMCI) determined that a Written Statement of Action was required because of significant areas of weakness in the local area’s practice. HMCI has also determined that the local authority and the area’s clinical commissioning group (CCG) are jointly responsible for submitting the written statement to Ofsted.
The joint area has now received confirmation from Ofsted that the Written Statement of Action has been deemed to be fit for purpose in setting out how the local area will tackle the significant areas of weakness identified in the published report letter.
In accordance with The Children Act 2004 (Joint Area Reviews) Regulations 2015 the Local Authority must publish the Written Statement of Action on local websites so that parents, carers, children and young people can understand the actions the Local Area are taking to improve the effectiveness of the local area in identifying and meeting needs, and improving outcomes for children and young people who have special educational needs and/or disabilities.
The Southend Area Written Statement of Action is published here and the original Area SEND Inspection Report is published here.