STATEMENT FROM CLLR DAVID GOODWIN ON OFSTED SEND INSPECTION

Commenting on the Ofsted SEND inspection findings in the letter sent to Surrey County Council, Cllr David Goodwin, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on Schools, said:

"The message from this Ofsted inspection is clear - Surrey County Council needs to improve the services it provides to children with special educational needs and disabilities, and at a much faster rate than it is currently doing.

"It is imperative that the Conservative-run administration urgently improves its relationship with parents and carers, and must act on assessments so that they are efficient, fair and timely. The current situation is a battleground, with too many tribunals and a high rate of success for parents suggesting that the county council made the wrong decision in the first place.

"Liberal Democrat county councillors have been clear in their support for parents and carers who want to feel they are being listened to and that the services being provided are efficient and responsive. We have also called for more SEND places to be provided here in Surrey, which we think would lead to a less bureaucratic, more efficient system, and would allow more money to be spent on raising standards, rather than being spent on out-of-county transport costs.

Notes

A copy of the letter from Ofsted to Surrey County Council can be found here: