SEND services in Tameside slammed in latest inspection

‘Widespread’ and ‘systematic’ failings have been in Tameside council’s care of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). 

An inspection from Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) raised significant concerns which need to be addressed ‘urgently’. 

SEND forms part of the children’s services department at Tameside council. 

The wider department was found to have ‘serious failures’ and put in special measures 18-months-ago.

The SEND inspection was carried out over four days in May. Officials discovered children were waiting too long for education, health and care (EHC) plans. 

Although improvements have been seen in more recent support plans, the quality of older plans is generally poor, the watchdog found.

The report, published today (Thursday, July 3), criticised a lack of understanding of child exploitation risks and detailed how children feel they don’t have enough say in their support plans; how older SEND children are more at risk of exclusion from school; and how many families struggle with access mental health services. 

The report reads: “There are widespread and/or systemic failings leading to significant concerns about the experiences and outcomes of children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), which the local area partnership must address urgently.

“Too many children and young people with SEND, and their families, do not receive the support that they need to thrive.

“Recently appointed local area leaders are keen to ensure that children and young people with SEND are at the heart of all that they do. They are fully committed to bringing their vision to improve provision for children and young people with SEND into reality.

“A fundamental barrier that remains is an overwhelming culture of distrust and frustration from stakeholders in Tameside. Although some inroads have been made in winning hearts and minds, there is much more still to do.”

It comes after the town hall was hit with a SEND improvement notice by the government, which found an ‘endemic weakness’ in children’s support plans.

Many similar issues were found in this latest SEND inspection, but a ‘renewed determination to improve the lives of children and young people with SEND’ was noted. 

Significant cash investment into the service, as well as the installment of new leadership (director of children’s services Jill Colbert), was praised by inspectors. 

The local authority was also credited for the effective help for children with speech and language needs; SEND support in the early years; social workers strong relationships with the children; and the planning for SEND children placed in out-of-borough residential settings. 

Tameside council’s executive member for lifelong learning and culture, Cllr Leanne Feeley said: “We fully accept the findings of the inspection and are determined to deliver the changes our children, young people and families need and deserve. 

“While we are encouraged by the recognition of recent progress and the confidence shown in our new leadership, we know there is a long road ahead. 

“We are committed to working openly and collaboratively with our partners, schools, and families to rebuild trust and deliver lasting improvements.

“As a partnership, we recognise the importance of listening to the voices of children, young people and their families, and will continue to work closely with the Tameside Umbrella Parent Carer Forum, OKE, and other stakeholders to ensure that lived experiences shape the way forward.”

The state of children’s services as a whole sparked turmoil last October after both the chief executive Sandra Stewart and council leader Ged Cooney quit in the wake of yet another blistering report from the children’s commissioner.

The commissioner, Andy Couldrick, had been brought in to oversee the improvements to the service, but his report led to councillors losing faith in the town hall hierarchy. The report thrust the local authority into the spotlight for failures, toxicity and having an oppressive and bullying culture.

That political turbulence ‘cost the council a year in terms of improvement time’, said Mr Couldrick. But his latest review of the overall service last month found there are signs of this disappearing, with improvement on the horizon.