Positive OFSTED for special educational needs

OFSTED, and the Care Quality Commission, have reported positively on arrangements made for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Brent.

The recently published SEND Inspection Report states that Brent’s SEND provision leads to positive experiences for children and young people with SEND, and that where improvements are needed, the council and its partners are taking action.

Looking at what is it like to be a young person with special educational needs in Brent, the report notes that: “Children and young people with SEND typically receive the right help at the right time. This helps them to succeed with their education, and to have their health and social care needs met in a highly inclusive and integrated way within their community.”

Cllr Gwen Grahl, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools, said: “Every child deserves the best start in life, and it is really encouraging that the inspection found that children with SEND achieve well and gain positive outcomes in Brent.

“We know that there are areas where the partnership needs to do better, such as on wait times for assessments, and plans are in place to make those improvements. We want every child with SEND to receive the best possible care, support and education available to them, and for Brent to remain a borough where children with SEND thrive in their learning and social development.”

Brent’s next full area SEND inspection is likely to be within five years’ time.