The Director of Children, Families and Education provided Members of the Committee with an update on progress towards the Wirral Statement of Action (WSoA). Members were advised how in September 2021, the local area’s services for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) was inspected by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Members were advised how, as a result of the inspection, the Local Authority were required to submit a Written Statement of Action to address the areas of improvement which had been identified. Attached as appendix 1 to the report was the final version of the Written Statement of Action (WSoA), approved by Ofsted on behalf of the CQC on 28th March 2022. The WSoA identified six workstreams which would guide the improvement plan for SEND, each with a dedicated workstream lead from the local authority (adults and children’s services) and the Clinical Commissioning Group.

In response to a question by a Member it was explained that a key barrier to the progress of the consideration of Educational Health Care Plans (EHCPs) had been the difficulty in recruiting Educational Psychologists, however within 12 months EHCP progress should be within the required timescales.

A discussion ensued regarding deadlines and the timeframes for completion were described as ambitious by Members. In response, Members were assured that resources were in place in order to meet deadlines throughout both the Local Authority, Schools and the NHS.

Members welcomed the Wirral Statement of Action and acknowledged the impressive and innovative work that had already been undertaken. Members were advised that further reports would be taken to this committee to inform and update on progress.

Resolved – That

(1)  the progress made to date on the actions in the Wirral Statement of Action be noted; and

(2)  a further monitoring report be received at a future date.