Lib Dems unveil plan to improve SEND in Hertfordshire

A SEND system which truly puts children first - that’s the aim of a major revamp of special needs provision by Lib Dem leaders of Hertfordshire County Council.

Children's needs will be identified more quickly. Proper support will be given more swiftly. It will become easier for SEND pupils to attend school near their home. 

Just as importantly, the council will collaborate with parents - and ensure services meet the real needs of youngsters and their families.

Those are the commitments at the heart of the Lib Dem plan.

The previous Conservative administration left Hertfordshire's SEND system in crisis - with a damning report from Ofsted and children denied proper provision. Parents were ignored, patronised, and placed under huge stress. 

Liberal Democrats - who took over the county council in May - have made SEND reform a top priority.

Their ambitious new draft strategy, covering the next three years, has now been approved for public consultation by the council's cabinet. 

It's been shaped by extensive feedback from more than a thousand people with direct experience of SEND in Hertfordshire - including children, young people, parents, teachers, and health and social care professionals.

The key points are:

- SEND children in Hertfordshire will have their needs identified earlier, and given the necessary provision sooner.

- The council will liaise closely with families, children, schools and partners - listening, adapting, and collaborating to continually improve SEND services.

- Schools will become more inclusive, and more will have localised special units. This will make it easier for SEND children to be educated near their home, and within the local community alongside their peers.

- Lib Dems will also invest in special schools, for children with the most complex needs.

- Children and young people with SEND, and their families, will be given support to plan next steps and further provision.

- There will be greater equality of support and provision for all families and children with SEND across the county.

However, to meet these challenges, Hertfordshire needs greater and fairer funding from central government. Lib Dems call on Whitehall to recognise and tackle the national failings in SEND provision.  

Cllr Mark Watkin, Lib Dem executive member for education, SEND and inclusion at Hertfordshire County Council, said:

"Our mission is to give every Hertfordshire child the education they deserve. This means we need to make huge improvements in special needs provision. For far too long, the children who most need support have been let down by a failing system.

"We now have a robust strategy to put that right. 

“Since May we've been working closely with everyone affected by SEND - young people, parents, and professionals - to identify what needs fixing, and how. We've harnessed their experiences, and their knowledge, to formulate these ambitious but realistic plans.

"Now it's time to consult more widely - and we welcome everyone's feedback".

The public consultation runs till 6th February 2025. Visit  www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/SENDstrategy