The forensic 177-page document delves into current arrangements, future anticipated need and looks at gaps and challenges in SEND provision. This assessment highlights the increasing demand for SEND services, the challenges faced by families and professionals, and the importance of improving service provision to ensure equitable outcomes for all.
As a result of this analysis, a series of recommendations have been made to further shape improvements to SEND services.
Known as the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Needs Assessment, the report will be discussed at the Health and Wellbeing Board on Thursday 16 January.
Some of the key findings and recommendations in the report include:
- A significant rise in demand for SEND services, with projections suggesting further increases in the coming years
- The importance of early intervention, timely diagnoses, and accessible services to address complex and multiple needs
- Strategic priorities emphasising communication, transition support, and whole system improvements to meet evolving demands.
The report also captures the voices of children and young people, parents, and practitioners to ensure lived experiences inform future strategies.
The Suffolk Parent Carer Forum was involved in collating the report. Claire Smith, chair of the forum, said: “Families' perspectives are essential for predicting the future of SEND in Suffolk and play a crucial role in recognising current and future gaps.
“It is vital we prioritise the outcomes for the children and young people of Suffolk.”
The report and the recommendations made, will become part of the Local Area Priority Action Plan for widescale SEND reform and improvement. This plan was a requirement following the Ofsted and CQC inspection in November 2023.
The local area partnership which delivers SEND services is made up of Suffolk County Council, the NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) and NHS Norfolk and Waveney ICB.
Sarah-Jane Smedmor, Executive Director of Children & Young People's Services at Suffolk County Council said: “This is a timely report furnishing us with data-rich analysis which will help us make big decisions about the future of SEND provision in Suffolk.
“It allows us to see the bigger picture by pulling together all the details around the children and young people who use our services, what support they need and where there may be gaps. It means we can identify priorities and plan our resources better to fulfil those needs.”
Tracey Bleakley, Chief Executive, NHS Norfolk & Waveney ICB, said: “The report is important as it allows us to understand the entire landscape of current SEND need and the services on offer, including any gaps or challenges that exist.
“It is deliberately thorough and honest highlighting the highs and lows of SEND provision. Some parts make for difficult reading – parts where it is easy to see how some current services are not working as well as they need to. In addition, there are sections where our services are exceeding expectation and having great results. We need the full picture in order to provide consistent and equal improvement.
Ed Garratt, Chief Executive, NHS Suffolk & East Essex ICB, said: “Of significant importance, this needs assessment will prove a useful resource for policymakers, practitioners, families, and the broader community, serving as a foundation to achieve meaningful, lasting change in SEND provision across Suffolk.
“This report has been a huge undertaking, and our thanks go to the team who have dedicated their time to delivering this.”
Ten recommendations have been made as a result of this needs assessment. One of those includes addressing delays in assessment, diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of SEND needs. Another recommendation looks at the future planning for the provision of SEND services in Suffolk, noting that the needs and numbers of children and young people with SEND are likely to increase further in the coming years.
Helpful comparisons are also drawn between Suffolk figures, other councils and England averages throughout the report. One of those includes the average spend on each SEND child or young person in Suffolk, which was £155 in 2022/23 (East of England £95 and England £100). Figures also look at the percentage of children and young people assessed and issued with an education, health and care plan for the first time. In Suffolk in 2023 this percentage was 99% of children, compared with 94% across England and 93% with comparable councils.
The report can be found here: Suffolk SEND Needs Assessment.
