This article has been brought to you by Slough Borough Council on behalf Ofsted, for the attention of all schools.
Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) have published a report on children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) who are not in school. Drawing on data from thematic visits to six local areas in England and a survey with children, parents and practitioners, the report explores some of the barriers that children who have SEND face to remaining in school and the support they receive when they are not attending school full time. Findings include: inconsistent access to services for children who are not in school and a lack of resources in schools to meet the needs of many children who have SEND. Despite the challenges, the report also highlights multiple examples of services and professionals working well together. Recommendations include that the Department for Education should prioritise working with local area partnerships to ensure children’s additional needs are identified early and accurately so that more children who have SEND can remain in school.
Read the report: The experiences of children with SEND who are not in school: a thematic review