County Durham special educational review highlights concerns

A review of special education needs and disability (SEND) services in County Durham revealed "inconsistent experiences and outcomes for children and young people".

Officials from the local area partnership in Durham were ordered to urgently implement improvements following a review earlier this year. The inspection report detailed: "The local area partnership's arrangements lead to inconsistent experiences and outcomes for children and young people with SEND. The local area partnership must work jointly to make improvements."

Inspectors noted that the local area partnership's arrangements generally result in positive experiences and outcomes for children and youngsters with SEND. The report also highlighted that these children and youths feel "valued, visible, included in their communities and listened to."

In response to the findings by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Ofsted, officials have devised a strategic action plan. For Children and Young People with SEND aged 0 to 25, the NHS Integrated Care Board and Durham County Council are collaboratively in charge of planning and commissioning services.

The local area partnership's arrangements for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) have been reviewed. Following this, the partnership was encouraged to continue its efforts to reduce delays in accessing Child and Adolescent Mental Health services (CAMHS) and neurodevelopmental pathways across all age groups.

The importance of ensuring that children, young people, and their families can easily access needs-led services was also emphasised. At a Durham County Council Health and Wellbeing Board meeting on Wednesday, plans were outlined on how local authorities intend to make improvements.

The report said: "There are widespread and/or systemic failings leading to significant concerns about the experiences and outcomes of children and young people with SEND, which the local area partnership must address urgently. The local area partnership's arrangements lead to inconsistent experiences and outcomes for children and young people with SEND. The local area partnership must work jointly to make improvements."

It is hoped by Autumn 2025 there will be additional specialist education provision in place across North and East Durham.