Ellie Ames 08 November 2023

South Gloucestershire families not getting agreed respite

South Gloucestershire families not getting agreed respite image
Image: Rawpixel.com / Shutterstock.com

Almost a third of families with children with special needs in South Gloucestershire have not been receiving sufficient respite care, an investigation has found.

After the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) opened an enquiry, South Gloucestershire Council admitted that several families were not receiving some – or all – of their respite care entitlement.

One child assessed as needing a 52-week residential placement was living at home with ‘limited support’, the LGSCO found.

Ombudsman Paul Najsarek said: ‘For too long families in South Gloucestershire have been struggling without the vital respite support they need, and the indications we have from the council suggest for many there is no sign of this improving in the near future.

‘While we recognise the difficulties the council is having finding appropriate support locally, it should not have taken a complaint to us to spur them into more effective action.

‘I am pleased the council is working towards improving its breadth of provision and hope the rigorous local oversight it has now agreed to implement will ensure this work is not allowed to drift.’

A South Gloucestershire Council spokesperson said the local authority had been able to provide more support since the investigation but could not yet fully deliver for all families.

An action plan to address outstanding issues is due to be discussed by the council’s cabinet next month.

The spokesperson said: ‘Like councils across the country, we are facing a major challenge in accessing the support packages to suit each family’s individual needs.

‘This is often far less a matter of cost and more that the services simply do not currently exist on the scale required.’

The £37,000 SEND Problem image

The £37,000 SEND Problem

Natalie Kenneison, COO at Imosphere, argues that the real SEND funding crisis isn’t just about budgets - it’s about the systems behind the decisions.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Assistant Service Manager

Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council
£37,938 - £40,476
At Barnsley Council you can start a career that makes a real difference to people’s lives. Barnsley, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council

People Support (HR) Advisor

Essex County Council
£26090.00 - £30693.00 per annum
People Support (HR) AdvisorSecondment, Full Time£26,090 to £30,693 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Adults Social Worker - Older Adult Mental Health

Essex County Council
£37185 - £50081 per annum + Flexible Working, Hybrid Working
Interview date
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Mobile Library Supervisor

Essex County Council
£23344.00 - £26011.00 per annum + full time equivalent
Mobile Library SupervisorPermanent, Part Time£23,344 up to £26,011 per annum (full time equivalent)Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Residential Assistant

Essex County Council
£25081.00 - £25395.00 per annum
Residential AssistantPermanent, Full Time£25,081 up to £25,395 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner