MPs Report Decline In Council's SEND Case Response

Natalie Brooks

5 min read

Post on May 23, 2025

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Parents of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in Oxfordshire are facing increasing delays and difficulties accessing crucial support services, according to a damning new report from local MPs. This report, titled "MPs Report Decline in Council's SEND Case Response," reveals a significant deterioration in the Oxfordshire County Council's ability to provide timely and effective support for children with SEND. The findings highlight a crisis within the system, leaving vulnerable children and their families struggling to navigate a complex and increasingly inefficient process. The report's implications are far-reaching, potentially impacting the educational attainment, well-being, and future prospects of hundreds of children across the county.

<h2>Delayed SEND Case Processing Times</h2>

The MPs' report reveals a dramatic increase in waiting times for SEND assessments and Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans. The average waiting time for an initial assessment has risen to an unacceptable 18 weeks, with many families waiting significantly longer. Some cases have seen delays exceeding a year, causing immense stress and uncertainty for families already dealing with the challenges of raising a child with SEND.

The report cites several specific examples of unacceptable delays, including:

• Case Study 1 (anonymized): A family waited 14 months for an EHC plan assessment, resulting in significant disruption to their child's education and emotional well-being.
• Case Study 2 (anonymized): A child with severe autism spectrum disorder waited over 12 months for necessary therapies due to assessment delays.

Key statistics highlighted by the MPs include:

• Average waiting time for SEND assessments: 18 weeks
• Number of cases exceeding acceptable waiting times: Over 40%
• Impact on children's education and well-being: Significant negative impact on academic progress, social development, and mental health.

These SEND assessment delays and EHC plan delays are causing significant distress and hindering children's progress. The prolonged waiting times SEND families experience are unacceptable and urgently require attention. The inadequate provision of timely special educational needs delays is a systemic issue that needs immediate action.

<h2>Insufficient Resources and Staffing Shortages</h2>

The MPs' investigation uncovered significant understaffing and a lack of resources within Oxfordshire County Council's SEND department. The report directly links these deficiencies to the significant delays in case processing times and the overall decline in service quality.

The report highlights:

• Number of unfilled positions within the SEND department: At least 15 key roles remain unfilled.
• Impact of budget cuts on SEND services: A 10% reduction in funding over the past three years has severely hampered the department's capacity to meet the needs of children with SEND.
• Lack of specialist support available: Shortage of educational psychologists, speech and language therapists, and other vital specialist support staff.

The consequences of these SEND staffing shortages and SEND funding cuts are devastating. An under-resourced SEND department is simply unable to cope with the demand, leading to unacceptable delays and a decline in the quality of SEND support.

<h2>Lack of Communication and Parental Concerns</h2>

The report strongly criticizes the Oxfordshire County Council's communication with parents of children with SEND. The MPs found widespread concerns regarding a lack of transparency, timely updates, and effective support.

The report includes several instances of communication failures:

• Example 1: Parents frequently reported difficulty contacting the SEND department and receiving timely responses to their queries.
• Example 2: Several families reported receiving conflicting information from different council staff members.
• Example 3: Lack of proactive communication regarding assessment timelines and potential delays.

The impact of this poor SEND parent communication is significant. Parents expressed feelings of frustration, anxiety, and powerlessness. The lack of SEND support and communication breakdown SEND leaves families feeling isolated and unsupported. The SEND parental concerns outlined in the report demand immediate attention.

<h2>MPs' Recommendations and Calls for Action</h2>

The MPs' report concludes with a series of strong recommendations aimed at addressing the shortcomings within the council's SEND services. These include:

• Specific recommendations for addressing delays: Increased staffing levels, streamlined assessment processes, and improved case management.
• Proposals for improving communication with parents: Establishment of a dedicated parent support line, regular updates, and improved access to information.
• Calls for increased investment in SEND services: Significant increase in funding to ensure the council can meet the needs of children with SEND.

These SEND recommendations represent a crucial action plan SEND to improve SEND services. The MPs’ call for improved systems is crucial to ensure Oxfordshire County Council provides the level of council SEND improvements needed.

<h2>Conclusion: Addressing the Decline in Council's SEND Case Response</h2>

The MPs' report paints a stark picture of the decline in Oxfordshire County Council's response to SEND cases. The significant delays, insufficient resources, and poor communication are having a devastating impact on children with SEND and their families. The report's findings highlight the urgent need for immediate and substantial improvements. The MPs' recommendations provide a clear roadmap for action, including increased funding, improved staffing, and better communication strategies. We must demand better SEND support for our children.

Demand better from your local council. Contact your MP and demand immediate action to address the decline in the council's SEND case response and ensure that all children with SEND receive the support they deserve. [Link to MPs' report] [Link to contact information for local MPs] We must work together to ensure better SEND services and SEND support improvements for all children in Oxfordshire.