Hertfordshire Lib Dems stage landmark SEND summit

Lib Dem council leaders have staged a landmark summit to deliver major improvements for special needs education in Hertfordshire.

The event on 15th September brought together 140 parents, teachers, SEND specialists, young people, council executives, and the NHS.

A further 100 participants joined online.

Hertfordshire’s new Liberal Democrat administration has pledged to make special needs a top priority.

Under the previous Tory leadership, SEND provision spiralled into crisis.

A damning Ofsted report revealed serious failings - which drove families to despair and denied vulnerable children the support they deserve.

This week’s summit is the latest bold step towards a better future.

Attendees heard testimony from council leaders and Dame Christine Lenehan, the Government’s strategic advisor on SEND.

This was followed by a live Q&A session, discussing questions raised by parents, carers, educators, health professionals and youngsters.

A series of workshops explored key themes raised in previous consultations.

They included lack of awareness of hidden disabilities, challenging assumptions around special needs, and a presentation by young people with SEND.

Across the day, participants developed ideas and shared insights which will help shape SEND provision in Hertfordshire.

Cllr Steve Jarvis, Lib Dem leader of Hertfordshire County Council, said:

“For too long, SEND voices in Hertfordshire went unheard. Expertise was ignored, children forgotten and parents silenced.

“Our summit is a turning point. Huge thanks to all the parents, young people and educationalists who took part and contributed so many hugely valuable ideas”.

Cllr Mark Watkin, executive member for education, SEND and inclusion, said:

“The Tories bequeathed a SEND system which was not fit for purpose.

“We can only put that right through collaboration and teamwork. That’s why this summit was so crucial - to inform, share, and empower. We’ll take everything we’ve learned forward to shape our SEND strategy and deliver better results for our children”.