Bexley outlines plans to combat dire rating for its care of special education needs children

By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter

Bexley council has outlined plans to improve its special educational needs department after it was given the lowest possible rating by Ofsted.

The authority and the South East London Integrated Care Board were instructed by the watchdog to urgently address significant concerns across the partnership which it claimed arose from ‘systemic failings’.

The topic was discussed at a cabinet meeting at Bexley council on Tuesday.

Kevin Taylor, deputy director of educational achievement and inclusion at the authority, said the partnership was disappointed by the outcome of the inspection.

Mr Taylor said the council had worked alongside its partners to create a priority action plan, which would be published in full within the next week. He confirmed at the meeting that the action plan had been signed off by Ofsted that day.

Bexley council will be subject to 18 months of scrutiny by the education watchdog, as well as the Department for Education, to discuss how the improvement plan is progressing. These meetings will be held every three months.

The Ofsted report published in February claimed that  the quality of many educational, health and care (EHC) plans for children in the borough had varied considerably.

The report said: “Too many children and young people across different ages and phases have an EHC plan that is well out of date and does not reflect their current needs or provision.

“These and other significant weaknesses all combine to mean that children and young people do not receive the right support at the right time.”

Conservative councillor Janice Ward-Wilson said she welcomed the strengths of the partnership identified by Ofsted, such as the views of parents being listened to regularly.

Cllr Ward-Wilson said at the meeting earlier this month: “While some unfavourable inspections are deeply disappointing for all concerned, they are an opportunity to improve – if we use it effectively.

“However, we cannot overstate that detrimental outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities are deeply regrettable and can impact young lives for a long time.”

Pictured top: Bexley Civic Centre, where Bexley council is based (Picture: Google Street View)