Independent inspectors have praised Rotherham’s services for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) for their ‘genuine determination across the partnership that all children and young people with SEND are happy, successful and thrive’ and awarded them the highest rating in their inspection report.
Following the three-week inspection in early October 2024, Ofsted and CQC inspectors assessed childrens services, looking at arrangements for education, health and social care services for children and young people with SEND across the borough.
There are three possible inspection outcomes in the SEND framework with Rotherham’s childrens services receiving the highest outcome of: ‘the local area partnership’s SEND arrangements typically lead to positive experiences and outcomes for children and young people with SEND. The local area partnership is taking action where improvements are needed’. This means the services won’t need to be inspected again for five years.
They found ‘most children’s and young people’s needs are identified and assessed quickly and accurately’ and they ‘enjoy attending a range of mainstream schools and specialist provisions’.
The report also highlighted that children and young people are valued and visible in their communities.
Praise from the inspectors comes from the collaborative way partners work together to provide support for children and young people with SEND. Partners include Rotherham Council, NHS South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Rotherham Parent Carers Forum.
Rotherham Parent Carers Forum was particularly praised for their compassionate approach in advocating for children and young people, working in partnership with services through the Four Cornerstones, Welcome and Care, Value and Include, Communication and Partnership, to influence the culture of how services for children and young people with SEND are delivered and developed in Rotherham.
A statement issued on behalf of Rotherham Parent Carers Forum said: “Under the new inspection framework, this review gathered hundreds of voices and lived experiences from families, along with in-depth explorations of specific family journeys.
“We are pleased that the identified areas for development align closely with feedback we regularly receive from families. This alignment presents a valuable opportunity for collaborative efforts to improve outcomes, build trust, and enhance confidence. It provides an opportunity to further embed the principle that children and young people with SEND, along with their families, are recognised as equal partners in shaping Rotherham's services and provisions at individual, operational, and strategic levels.”
Two areas for improvement were highlighted, including the varying quality of Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans as well as delays for diagnosis of neurodevelopmental need for some children and young people.
Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services, Cllr Victoria Cusworth, said: “I am very proud that inspectors have recognised the dedication and strength of our SEND provision in Rotherham. The Partnership works to ensure young people, whatever their SEND needs, are supported effectively and this report showcases the massive improvement to our services.
“Our job is not done. Our services and partners will continue to strive for the best support and care for our children and young people with SEND, and the result from the inspectors shows we are well on our way.”
Rotherham Council’s Strategic Director for Children and Young People’s Services, Nicola Curley, said: “Over the last few years we have continued to see consistently positive improvement across all our services for children and young people, acknowledged in our Good Ofsted rating, and it is excellent that the inspectors have also now recognised this in our SEND provision.
“This inspection demonstrates the high quality of service Rotherham is currently providing to children and young people across early help, social care, health and education services.”
Chris Edwards, Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Place Director for Rotherham at NHS South Yorkshire, said: “The SEND inspection outcome is fantastic news for Rotherham, recognising the hard work from across all partners to support our children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
“I’m extremely pleased to see the progress we have made to improving our information and services over the last few years The report also helpfully highlighted some areas for us to work on to help us continue on our improvement journey.”
Highlights from the Inspectors’ report include:
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Children and young people are valued and visible in their communities. Leaders listen to children and young people and their families.
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Most children’s and young people’s needs are identified and assessed quickly and accurately.
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Significant work is underway to transform not only the diagnostic waits but also to meet the needs of children and young people with or without a diagnosis.
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Many children and young people with SEND enjoy attending a range of mainstream schools and specialist provisions.
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Disabled children who receive services from the children with disability team benefit from child-focused support from social workers who know them well.
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Children and young people are successfully supported to move on to their next stage of education, employment or training through a range of events, including a highly inclusive annual careers fair, the ‘Leaf Event’.
For further information about services available for children and young people with SEND can be found on the Rotherham SEND Local Offer website.