The Local Government Association is keen to work with colleagues in the sector facing the on-going challenges across SEND systems and to invite you to make contact to set up a meeting to discuss the leadership support we can offer.Our work has two main elements: supporting improvement and targeted intervention.
Supporting improvement
The LGA has a broad SEND support offer which can be seen on our website including peer challenges and diagnostics; top tips and guidance; scrutiny support; facilitated systems leadership sessions; EHCP reviews. Or you can have a discussion with either
one of the SEND Improvement Advisors, Helen Watson ([email protected]) or Chris Munday ([email protected]) to discuss the bespoke support that would work for you, your teams and the wider local area system.
Targeted intervention
Where local areas receive a judgement of ‘widespread and/or systemic failings’ from their Area SEND inspection, the DfE has determined they will be issued with an improvement notice and a key requirement is often the establishment of an improvement board with an independent chair. Below is a summary of the LGA support that can be offered in these instances.
Immediately post-inspection, we can provide briefings for key system leaders to build an understanding of the expectations of the local area system, roles and responsibilities throughout the improvement period, including the development of a priority action/impact plan and setting up appropriate governance. Typically, these briefings are targeted towards:
- Chief Executive of the Council
- Director of Children’s Services
- Key health leads including the CEO, Chief Nurse and SROs
- Leader of the Council
- Lead Member and other Councillors
- Other key stakeholders as appropriate
We will provide access to a pool of skilled and knowledgeable individuals who either bring prior experience of chairing a SEND improvement board or have completed a specific induction and are ready to take on independent chairing roles. We will also share learning from other areas that have been through the improvement journey and access to further guidance and materials including our SEND improvement board toolkits to support SEND improvement best practice (Phase One, Phase Two, Phase Three here).
If you have recently received a ‘widespread and/or systemic failings’ judgement please make contact with Deborah Glassbrook ([email protected]) and/or Dame Christine Lenehan ([email protected]) for an initial, confidential conversation.