Keighley and Ilkley MP Robbie Moore has raised his concern regarding an inspection of Bradford’s SEND (special educational needs and disability) provision, which found that parents and carers have “lost faith” in Bradford’s SEND system.
The inspection by Ofsted took place to judge the local implementation of national reforms introduced in 2014 through the Children and Families Act. However, the report found that these reforms were not prioritised, creating significant gaps in specialist SEND provision. The report also finds "too many children and young people at SEND support absent or suspended from school". Other areas of concern include:
- Parents facing difficulties contacting key services
- Limited early identification of children’s additional needs
- The needs of children requiring SEND support are not fully understood
Moore has previously called for more action to help those requiring SEND support. This includes an end to the “bureaucracy and red tape” which exists in the diagnosis system, and for emphasis to be put not only on funding and providing targeted support, but also providing businesses and schools with the support they need to help people with special educational needs in both the work and education environment.
Robbie Moore MP said: “It is appalling to see that Bradford Council are not providing an adequate SEND provision to local young people. We need to be guaranteeing that children’s opportunities in life are not held back by certain conditions, and it is unbelievable to hear parents have lost faith in Bradford to do this.
Special educational needs can have a crippling effect on someone’s childhood, particularly if undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Our local council need to be supporting people through this. Urgent change is needed if parents and children are to be able to trust these vital services.”
