Parents rate Herts County Council’s SEND services three out of 10 in survey
Parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) rated services in Hertfordshire three out of 10 on average, according to a recent satisfaction survey.
The Herts Parent Carer Involvement (HPCI) has published the results of its 2023 questionnaire to find out what families think of the county council’s services.
The questions are in line with the Ofsted/CQC Inspection framework to help inform future inspection and monitoring and to help track year-on-year changes.
Late last year, a report by the education and health watchdogs identified in SEND services provided by Hertfordshire County Council and the NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB).
In the survey, a total of 931 responses were received from across Hertfordshire, covering all age groups.
When asked about the service most in need of improvement, over half of respondents (58%) highlighted support with education, health and care plans (EHCP).
The report noted: “A third of respondents reported annual reviews for EHCP not being carried out within statutory deadlines (very similar to last year).
“Where amendments to the plan were needed, 75% reported the deadline for a final version was missed. Well over half of those people then waited over six months for the final version (47 of the 225 respondents to this question waited over a year).
“Comments suggest it’s often the next annual review that prompts the previous year’s EHCP to be issued.”
Four other problem areas selected by carers included mental health services for children and young people (31%), waiting times for education psychologists (28%), NHS services such as physiotherapy (27%) and support from community paediatricians (25%).
HPCI noted: “There are clear levels of dissatisfaction with many services and concerns about the outcomes that are delivered for children and young people.
“In most cases, parent carers’ views and experiences of SEND services in Hertfordshire have not improved in the last year.
“EHC coordinators and/or EHCP administration continue to be the area of most concern for families, followed by children and young people’s mental health services and the educational psychology service.
“Many families continue to struggle to find information and support.”
The survey did shore up some positive results, as 54% of respondents gave ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ ratings to schools in identifying SEND needs, while 53% gave the same ratings to teachers.
It also found some geographical differences in satisfaction levels, with the highest approval ratings in Hitchin, Letchworth, Royston and Stevenage areas, and the lowest in and around St Albans, Harpenden, Potter’s Bar and Borehamwood.
