Derby City Council and Derby and NHS Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group (DDCCG) have had plans to improve services in the city for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) approved by Ofsted and the CQC.

Our plan is in response to the Ofsted and CQC Local Area SEND inspection that took place in June 2019. Findings of the Inspection were published in August 2019 and identified areas of strength and areas of weakness.

Our Local Area Written Statement of Action (WSOA) has been developed by speaking to, and working with, parents and carers to ensure children, young people and their families are at the heart of everything we do to secure the best possible outcomes, reach their potential and thrive into adulthood.

This involved a range of engagement and feedback events with parents, carers, front line staff and all partners to discuss areas that need improvement and actions to improve our Local Area SEND arrangements

Now that the plans have been approved, Ofsted and the CQC inspectors will revisit Derby within 18 months to assess the improvements made against the key areas identified.

Evonne Williams, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People Services, said:

We welcome the news that our plans have been approved by Ofsted and the CQC, and are fully committed to ensuring we deliver on the actions we have set out. We look forward to working closely with children, parents and carers to co-produce Derby’s SEND improvement journey.

Dr Chris Clayton, Chief Executive Officer of NHS Derby and Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group said:

We’re very pleased the CQC and Ofsted fully support our partnership plan to work closely with children and young people and their families, helping everyone who uses SEND services make the most of their opportunities and potential. By working together we can continue to learn and grow, build on successes and strive towards our shared SEND vision of offering the best possible services.

You can read the full Written Statement of Action on the Derby City Council website.

For more information on Derby city’s SEND Local Offer please visit the website, or visit the SEND Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) website or Facebook page for further details.