Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Hertfordshire SEND Services: Ofsted Findings

06 December 2023 · 0 other contributors · 3,465 words

Opened by Daisy Cooper Lib Dem St Albans

Responding minister: David Johnston

Children & FamiliesNHS

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Daisy Cooper raised concerns about hertfordshire send services: ofsted findings in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Concerns raised about poor communication and lengthy delays in preparing education, health and care plans for children with special educational needs or disabilities in Hertfordshire.
  • Specific asks include issuing an improvement notice, appointing a SEND commissioner, releasing 2 million in funding immediately, and adjusting the national funding formula based on current need.
  • DFE officials and NHS England advisers will meet local leaders next week to scrutinise their improvement plan.

Key requests to Government

I ask the Minister to issue an improvement notice for Hertfordshire's SEND services, appoint a SEND commissioner, release £2 million in funding immediately, and adjust the national funding formula based on current need instead of historical spend.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Daisy Cooper Lib Dem St Albans

I am concerned about the poor communication and lengthy delays in preparing education, health and care plans for children with special educational needs or disabilities in Hertfordshire. The Ofsted report highlights that EHCPs are often of poor quality and local authorities fail to implement measures in these plans effectively. Families have faced multiple challenges including tribunals and prolonged uncertainty regarding school placements, leading some families to the brink of destitution.

Government Response

David Johnston

It is a pleasure to serve under the chairmanship. I congratulate Daisy Cooper on securing this debate. Improving SEND services in Hertfordshire is a priority, but Ofsted's findings are concerning. DFE officials and NHS England advisers will meet local leaders next week to scrutinise their improvement plan. Dame Christine Lenehan has been appointed as independent chair of the multi-agency board. A specialist professional adviser will provide support until improvements are satisfactory. Funding for mainstream schools and high needs funding in 2024-25 will be over £187 million, a cumulative increase of 29% per head since 2021-22. We review the funding formula annually to address historical spend factors. Over £1.5 billion has been invested into high needs provision between 2022 and 2025, including almost £27 million for Hertfordshire. Local authorities can use this funding to deliver new places in mainstream and special schools, as well as improve existing buildings. The James Marks Academy, a secondary special free school, opened in September. Positive actions include establishing specialist resource provisions in mainstream schools for children with communication needs.

Get updates like this by email
▸ Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy