Only 25% of Somerset SEND pupils testing on time

Somerset Council A sign reading "welcome to county hall" outside a large municipal building with flags flying on a sunny daySomerset Council
Somerset Council has been consulting on changes to its special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision

Only a quarter of assessments of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Somerset were carried out within the required timeframe in recent months.

A meeting of Somerset Council’s executive committee heard on Monday that 26.9% of Education, Health and Care Plan assessments were completed within 20 weeks in July, August and September this year.

The executive councillor in charge admitted there might not be much improvement until April next year when a staffing restructure comes in.

The director of children’s services said she was “confident” the target would be met “over time”.

'Uncertainty and discomfort'

Councillor Heather Shearer, Liberal Democrat lead member for children, families and education, said "uncertainty and discomfort" around the council's current restructure might be partly to blame for recent poor performance.

A total of 450 jobs are currently at risk of compulsory redundancy across the authority, with a consultation taking place until later this month.

Claire Winter, executive director children and families, also said some of the delays could have been due to the school summer holidays and work to clear a backlog of more complicated cases, which take longer to resolve.

The figure of 26.9% was the lowest rate of assessments being completed within the target timescale during the the past year, with the highest rate being 57.5% in October, November and December 2023.

Somerset Council has been consulting on changes to its SEND provision and has previously faced criticism from parents for a growing number of complaints against the authority.

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