In October, we had the opportunity to present your experiences and concerns at a SEND Engagement session with Ofsted, joined by key representatives from the Local Area Partnership (LAP) – Lisa Lyons (Director of Children’s Services), Dan Leveson (Place Director for Oxfordshire), and Karen Fern (Designated Clinical Officer for the BOB ICB). This was an invaluable chance to showcase both the progress made and the ongoing challenges within Oxfordshire’s SEND services.
Capturing Your Feedback
To accurately represent your experiences, we drew on recent feedback collected through polls on Facebook, Menti, our WhatsApp community group, and other feedback mechanisms. These insights highlighted several critical themes affecting families:
• Key Issues: Long waiting times, inconsistencies in EHCP implementation, and significant gaps in mental health resources.
• Communication Needs: Many families expressed the need for clearer, more accessible communication with service providers, while others shared positive experiences with specific schools and professionals.
• Measurable Data: Using data from our July 2023, January 2024, and October 2024 polls, we were able to demonstrate both consistent issues and areas of improvement over time, providing Ofsted with a data-driven perspective on Oxfordshire’s SEND landscape.
This feedback allows us to track ongoing concerns and identify progress, helping us advocate more effectively for meaningful changes within the LAP and beyond.
Presenting Key Themes and LAP Responses
During the session, Lisa, Dan, and Karen responded to Ofsted’s questions on the progress and future plans for SEND services. We had the opportunity to present a comprehensive overview of key themes, using your feedback data to inform our presentation. We highlighted:
1. Priority Action Plan Progress
• We discussed our role in the SEND Transformation Programme, including co-leading co-production workstreams and delivering co-production training for LAP members and parent carers, which strives to create more meaningful engagement opportunities for families in Oxfordshire.
2. Understanding the Impact
• Our community outreach efforts, led by our community coordinator, have reached over 20 community groups and schools. The feedback gathered from events, focus groups, and direct engagement informs every LAP meeting, ensuring real family experiences are prioritised.
3. Evaluating Impact for Transparency and Accountability
• Through enhanced feedback channels and the upcoming “You Said, We Did” reports, we aim for greater transparency and accountability. These reports will show how your input influences LAP decisions and will help track changes over time.
4. Future Plans for the Year Ahead
• Our focus includes expanding peer support networks, hosting more in-depth events and webinars, and enhancing access to support for underrepresented families.
The Ofsted inspectors listened closely, asked detailed questions, and will provide a letter summarising their findings, which will be shared with the LAP.
As we continue to advocate for meaningful change, your voices remain central to our work. Together, we’re working towards a more effective and responsive SEND system in Oxfordshire.
To view the presentation we shared, click below:
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