The London Borough of Redbridge has agreed a plan to improve its support for children with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) following a critical report by inspectors earlier this year.

Action includes better monitoring of support to ensure statutory Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) timelines are being met, improvements when engaging with parents, and stronger partnership working.

It was approved at a meeting of the council’s cabinet last week. More than 300 parents and officers were involved in drafting the plan, which also involved briefings with headteachers, school governors, children, and special educational needs coordinators (SENCOs).

The report by Ofsted and Care Quality Commission inspectors was published during the summer and detailed ‘systemic failings’ in support by the Redbridge Local Area Partnership, including the council, NHS services and schools.

Failings are ‘leading to significant concerns about the experiences and outcomes’ of children with SEND.

Children in Redbridge ‘face a fragmented system, marked by delays, poor coordination and inconsistent access to services’ stated their report, which added that ‘the system as a whole is ineffective’.

Improving services' relationships with local parent and carer forums, including through funding, is also part of the plan, which pledged to strengthen involvement of headteachers in delivering support.

Staffing levels will also be increased, with recruitment already underway regarding roles identified as needed to ensure the action plan ‘is delivered at pace’.

The council and its partners have agreed to contribute £2.39m to implementing improvements in the plan over the next three years. Of this, the council is set to contribute £1.74m.