Vital progress being made to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND

The urgent measures are being undertaken by the Lancashire SEND Partnership following widespread concerns flagged by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC.)

The partnership, which includes NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Lancashire County Council, has already launched a host of vital improvements.

These include:

• An extra £5million of investment in LCC SEND staffing, including new senior leaders, caseworkers and SENDIAS officers and a new designated social care officer
• Commitment by the ICB of £1.8 million for improving the Neurodivergent Pathway across Lancashire and South Cumbria.
• A new SEND staff academy, providing high quality training and development for current and new staff
• Plans for an additional 1,200 educational psychologist assessments to be rolled out within the next nine months
• A new Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) portal which will be rolled out in stages from September.
• 200 new specialist school places from this September
• The identification of a site for a new special school
• A new EHCP check tool, meaning the number of EHCP audits will more than double.
• Expert oversight and feedback through the SEND Improvement Board, supported by advisors from the DfE and  NHS England.

The inspection in November and December last year highlighted widespread concerns about the experiences and outcomes of children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Following the findings a priority action plan was rapidly developed by the Lancashire SEND Partnership.

The plan addressed concerns voiced in a letter from Janet Daby MP, Minister for Children and Families, who has now written to the partnership to issue an expected improvement notice following the inspection.

Sarah O’Brien, chief nurse for NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, said:

“The ICB, as part of the Lancashire SEND Partnership, acknowledges the findings of the Ofsted and CQC report and the receipt of this Improvement Notice.

“We recognise that the outcomes and experiences that children and young people with SEND in our region have faced are not good enough, but we remain committed to seeing improved outcomes for all.

“Many changes have already been implemented since the report was issued earlier this year, with many more areas for improvement also identified, and we are determined to continue to develop and deliver on our partnership’s shared strategic vision.”

Jacqui Old CBE, vice chair of Lancashire SEND Partnership Board and Executive Director for Education and Children's Services, said:  

“We fully anticipated the Improvement Notice and view it as a vital opportunity to acknowledge the findings of the joint Ofsted and CQC inspection of our SEND services. First and foremost, we want to express our sincere apologies to the children, young people, and families who have been let down.

"As a Partnership, we are resolute in our commitment to making meaningful and lasting improvements. I am encouraged by the progress already underway, but we know there is much more to do.

"The challenges we face are not unique to Lancashire. Across the country, there is a significant and growing demand for SEND support and Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans. However, this does not lessen our responsibility to act decisively and with urgency.

"The inspection has made it clear: we must rebuild trust, raise expectations, and deliver real, measurable change. That is our focus.

"I want to thank our dedicated staff for their continued hard work and unwavering commitment during this period of transformation. Their efforts are crucial to improving the lives of children and young people across Lancashire.

"We will not rest until every child, parent, and carer experiences a system that is fair, responsive, and truly supportive.”

Michelle Pye and Miranda Hyman, Interim Co-Chairs of Lancashire Parent Carer Forum said:

"The Lancashire Parent Carer Forum (LPCF) acknowledges the findings of the recent Ofsted and CQC inspection and the issuance of an Improvement Notice for Lancashire’s SEND services. As parent carers, we understand firsthand the challenges that families face, and while these findings confirm long-standing concerns, they also mark a crucial turning point for meaningful change.  

"In addition, LPCF has recently undergone significant developments, resulting in greatly enhanced parent carer representation and influence at a strategic level. We firmly believe that the voice of parent carers must be central to shaping improvements, ensuring that changes genuinely reflect the needs of those who rely on SEND services. We stand ready to collaborate constructively while advocating for the best outcomes for families.

"We appreciate the recognition that systemic failings have impacted children, young people, and families, and we welcome the commitment from Lancashire County Council and NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB)to address these issues.

"Our forum remains dedicated to:  

•  Amplifying parent carer voices to ensure families are meaningfully involved in decision-making.  
•  Holding decision-makers accountable to deliver real improvements within the outlined timescales.  
•  Supporting families through this transition by providing information, advocacy, and peer support.  

"We urge all parent carers to share their experiences and engage in discussions as we push for lasting and impactful changes. Together, we can create a system that truly meets the needs of all families."