To share the feedback report from Ofsted and Care Quality Commission (CQC) following the SEND inspection of Herefordshire Local Area Partnership conducted in December 2024

ChildrenCHTHE MEMBER the The member for children’s and young people introduced the report.   It was noted that this was a joint inspection conducted by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission, it was joint because it was Herefordshire Council and the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Integrated Care Board. 

The cabinet member reflected on a few elements and acknowledged the strong leadership from the service director and the chair of the Integrated Care Board.  Also, the contributions from all partners including education settings, care and health providers and from parent carers voice. 

It was noted that the joint inspectorate reported positively on the strengths of the local area partnership both at a strategic and operational level.  There had been a huge amount of work delivered through the operational group and with a great degree of detail of measures, data and the impact of outcomes.  

The inspectorate recognised the investment in workforce development and increasing capacity as a strength, they reflected that the partnership was highly responsive to meet needs.  The staff across the whole partnership were recognised for building positive relations with children and young people, listening and responding to their views.  It was also recognised that professionals knew the children and young people well.

A feature of the report focused on how the local area partnership supported children, their progress towards next steps and their preparation for adulthood.   It was highlighted that the report referenced the youth employment hub noting that it ‘already making a significant difference for young people who access the service’.

The educational settings across Herefordshire were referred to positively throughout the report.   The inspectorate recognised that vulnerable groups were noted and supported by alternative providers including Herefordshire People Referral Service, which included those who may have faced exclusion, absence or had medical needs which meant they couldn’t access education in the same way.

It was recognised that there was work to do regarding the council’s alternative provision, as some of the buildings were in a poor state of repair.  It was confirmed that the service was in the process of producing a business case to improve the building conditions and to locate to one site, instead of two sites. 

The importance of referencing the range of additional activity beyond education was noted, for enrichment and engagement in community and allowing children with special educational needs and disabilities to fulfil their potential. 

The report noted the high-quality alternative provision in the council’s specialist settings and were recognised as being innovative in providing appropriate solutions for meeting the more complex health and learning needs.

Children and Young people reflected that they felt well supported by and listened to by the school and college staff.   

It was noted that the council’s performance in Education Health and Care Plans was, in most cases, within statutory timescales and Herefordshire performed well against national performance.  The special educational needs coordinator network were praised for its joint work across the partnership schools, school social care and health providers.  The inspectors found that children and young  ...  view the full minutes text for item 83

To share the feedback report from Ofsted and Care Quality Commission (CQC) following the SEND inspection of Herefordshire Local Area Partnership conducted in December 2024.

Deferred to 27 March 2025.