Three more areas in England have been slammed by inspectors for “widespread, systemic failings” in special educational needs (SEND) services.
Oxfordshire, Oldham and Plymouth must make urgent improvements after receiving the lowest rating in inspections by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission this summer. All had reports published in the past month.
It means one in four areas visited under the new area SEND inspection framework so far have “widespread and/or systematic failures leading to significant concerns about the experiences and outcomes” of children with extra needs.
In Oxfordshire, “far too many children and young people are lost in the system”, amid “lengthy waiting times” for help with many not receiving help “until they are close to crisis point”.
