William Eichler 05 February 2024

Suffolk councillors resign over ‘widespread’ SEND failings

Suffolk councillors resign over ‘widespread’ SEND failings  image
Image: Olesia Bilkei / Shutterstock.com.

Three senior councillors have resigned their cabinet posts at Suffolk County Council after a damning report found there were ‘widespread’ failings affecting outcomes for children with SEND.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Ofsted found that children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) in Suffolk face a system that ‘has not worked well for a long time.’

The inspectors noted several areas where the council has improved but concluded that leaders have not ‘urgently or effectively addressed systemic and significant weaknesses’ in SEND provision since concerns were first raised in 2016.

Cllrs Rachel Hood, James Reeder, and Chris Chambers on Saturday resigned as cabinet members for education, SEND and skills, children and young people's services, and deputy cabinet member for SEND respectively.

In a joint letter they described the report as ‘extraordinarily disappointing’ and said their positions had become a ‘distraction’.

The decision by the councillors follows the departure of the county council’s executive director of people services and director of children and young people last year.

A restructure of senior officer leadership in children’s services is already underway, according to the council’s chief executive, Nicola Beach.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Educational Psychologist

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
£57072 - £58072 per annum
We are looking for qualified and HCPC registered Educational Psychologists or Year 3 Trainee Educational Psychologists to join our thriving, progressi England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Senior Educational Psychologist

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
£66555 - £67555 per annum
As a result of internal promotions within our service we are looking for committed Senior Educational Psychologists to join us in our work to shape th England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Principal Accountant

Durham County Council
£47,181 to £51,356 p.a. (Grade 13)
Durham County Council is the largest council in the North East, we have a budget of around £1.3 billion which helps us provide services to more than 5 Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Mechanical Foreman

Durham County Council
£35,412 to £39,152 p.a. (Grade 9)
A vacancy has arisen within Building and Facilities Management for a Mechanical Foreman working full time 37 hours.   WHAT IS INVOLVED?    Within a co Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Occupational Health Physiotherapist

Durham County Council
£40,777 to £45,091 p.a. (Grade 11)
An exciting opportunity has arisen with Durham County Council to join our well established ‘in house’ Occupational Health Service in making a positiv Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner