West Sussex Local Area SEND Partnership has set out how it will continue to develop vital services for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in West Sussex with the publication of a new improvement plan.
The SEND Improvement Plan has been developed by West Sussex County Council, working in partnership with NHS Sussex as the West Sussex Local Area SEND Partnership.
West Sussex County Council and NHS Sussex are responsible for delivering, planning, and commissioning services for children and young people with SEND. Following the Ofsted and Care Quality Commission inspection, which gave West Sussex Local Area SEND Partnership the middle rating for delivery, planning and commissioning of SEND services, a detailed improvement plan is being implemented to make improvements to ensure all young people with SEND receive the right help and support so that they enjoy positive experiences and outcomes.
The plan focuses on six areas for continued improvement. These are:
· Mainstream and universal provision
· Statutory or specialist support
· Leadership and governance
· Alternative Provision
· Support to prepare for adulthood
· Co-production and communication
The plan details the aim and improvement focus for each area and provides a framework for measuring success.
Councillor Jacquie Russell, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Learning and Skills said: “The SEND Improvement Plan is key to ensuring that we are delivering the best services possible and demonstrates our commitment to improving outcomes for children with SEND in West Sussex.
“Working in partnership with colleagues at NHS Sussex, we have developed a plan that seeks to address the need for improvement highlighted in the latest Ofsted inspection, helping ensure that all children and young people in West Sussex have access to services that can help them fulfil their potential.”
Dr Amy Dissanayake, Interim Chief Medical Officer at NHS Sussex said:
“We are committed to taking swift action to make sure children and young people with SEND receive the right help and support, when they need it. Our joint improvement plan sets out how we will do this with our colleagues at West Sussex County Council and the timescales we have committed to.
“We recognise the challenges many families face in relation to waiting times for some services, with continually increasing levels of need. As a priority, we are working with health and care partners across Sussex to improve the information and support provided while families are waiting for a service, including when transitioning from youth to adult support.
“We will involve children, young people and their families in this work, to ensure that improvements meet children and young people’s special educational needs now and in the future.” You can read the SEND Improvement Plan in full here: SEND improvement plan - West Sussex County Council
