CQC Ofsted
Barnet’s services for children and young people with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) have been found to be making a real difference, according to the findings of a joint Ofsted and Care Quality Commission (CQC) report.
The inspection report highlighted the area’s good and effective partnership working, excellent co-production work with parents and positive outcomes for children and young people in the borough. The report also showed that children and young people with SEND enjoyed their time in education and in their social lives. Overall, they like living in Barnet and fell well supported by the professionals who help them.
Chris Munday, Barnet Council’s Executive Director of Children’s & Family Services, said:
“Supporting Barnet’s most vulnerable children is a priority for the council, so I am delighted the Ofsted and CQC report’s findings highlight just how much our SEND services and schools are valued by children and young people and their parents and carers. Our close work with the Barnet Parent Carers forum has been pivotal in ensuring our services are fit for purpose.
“I would like to extend my thanks to everyone who has worked so hard throughout the pandemic, and we will continue to ensure we provide the best services possible.”
Councillor David Longstaff, Chairman of the Children, Education and Safeguarding Committee, said:
“In the past few years, we have made significant investments and achieved fantastic progress in ensuring our most vulnerable children benefit from first-rate SEND services. This is reflected in the welcome findings of the Ofsted and CQC inspection report.
“Partnership working and co-design with parents and carers has been integral to our progress. It was positive to note that Barnet schools can access immediate guidance for children and young people with emerging mental health needs, and parents and carers in Barnet have been involved in all aspects of the area’s redesign to improve mental health services.”
Jess Baines-Holmes, Director of Integrated Commissioning for North Central London Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said:
“Significant strides have been made to deliver demonstrable improvement in local healthcare services and to ensure that strong multi-agency practice underpins support to children, young people, and families in Barnet. The CCG remains committed to a robust programme of work which will reduce waiting times and ensure children and young people have access to the healthcare they need, when they need it.”
In other findings, the report identified that leaders from the borough’s education, health and care sectors had an accurate view of the positive impact of their work. School and college leaders spoke highly of area leaders saying they provided invaluable support and were very responsive to meeting the needs of children and young people, including those who need specialist provision.
An action plan will be presented to the Children, Education and Safeguarding Committee in June to address the areas for development.