A report presented by Elizabeth Hartley, Assistant Director for Children, Families and Education provided members with an update on progress on the Wirral Statement of Action (WSoA).

Members were reminded 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 informed how as a result of the inspection, the local area was required to submit a Written Statement of Action (WSoA) to address the areas of improvement which had been identified.

Members were advised how the WSoA is being delivered via six workstreams, each with an improvement plan with leadership from the local authority (adults and children’s services) and the NHS. The Assistant Director provided a summary of each individual workstream. Appended to the report was a detailed analysis of the 102 action points under the 6 workstreams. Members were advised that some actions had been completed but not marked as so until the outcome can be assessed with reference to a longer term impact.

With regards to mental health provision for SEN children, Members were advised how mental health practitioners in school would have training in mental health first aid and there is currently joined up work being undertaken with the NHS to provide early support.

Resolved -  That

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

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