Oxfordshire County Council's scrutiny committee recently reviewed a report detailing progress within the Local Area Partnership, following concerns raised during the 2023 inspection. The report aimed to address the implementation of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) action plans. However, parents like Katy Bentley, who attended the committee meeting, remain skeptical about the tangible outcomes of these plans.
Mrs. Bentley, whose daughter is deaf, expressed her frustration during the meeting, challenging the council's claim that "only a small number of parents" were not experiencing changes. Highlighting her own experiences, she stated that despite years of waiting, the priority action plan had yet to "translate into outcomes that are tangible."
"translate into outcomes that are tangible and we are still waiting" – Mrs Bentley
The report's findings have not satisfied all stakeholders. Melody Drinkwater from Oxfordshire SEND Parent Action pointed out that the document contained "little or no" information about its actual impact. While Councillor John Howson, cabinet member for children, education and young people's services, asserted that overall progress was being made, Ms. Drinkwater described the report as "overly positive."
Mrs. Bentley shared her personal challenges in navigating the SEND system. Her daughter had to transition from a "mainstream school with excellent SEND support" to a specialist school, a decision made without her prior knowledge. She lodged an appeal and spent numerous hours with the school trying to implement an education, health and care plan (EHCP) within a mainstream setting.
"However, the final EHCP was issued naming the current school and I was told that naming the specialist space from the next term was incompatible with the education of others." – Mrs Bentley
Steve Crocker, the independent chair of the SEND Improvement Advisory Board, acknowledged the considerable progress since 2023. Yet, parents like Mrs. Bentley remain dissatisfied with how decisions are made and communicated.
"I'm curious to know how officers conclude it's a small number – and I'm here to tell you it's not" – Katy Bentley
Mrs. Bentley emphasized the exhaustion felt by many parents dealing with the system.
"And there are many more stories but we are almost universally exhausted and in my case, frustrated" – Katy Bentley
The Local Area Partnership continues its efforts to improve SEND services in Oxfordshire. Nonetheless, parents demand more transparent processes and outcomes that genuinely reflect their children's needs.
"In a SEND system that is at breaking point, I cannot understand how that is considered workable for anybody else apart from the council" – Katy Bentley
