Sep 15, 20233 min read

OxPCF Press release regarding Area SEND Inspection of Oxfordshire Local Area Partnership

Oxfordshire Parent Carers Forum (OxPCF) recognise the findings of this inspection and, as parent carers ourselves, we fully understand the impact the issues raised by the inspectors will have on local families. We have worked hard to share the views and experiences of local parent carers with the local authority and health services, always highlighting co-production as best practice around the development of services. As a Forum, we share the frustration of local families about the lack of action in many areas.

We know that more than 2000 families responded to the inspection survey, sharing their views, and our Chairs were also met face to face with His Majesty’s inspectors to share feedback of views we have gathered over the last three years. We want to thank all those families that responded to the inspection and continue to engage with us.

Our work with the local area partnership is to highlight where local services, processes and commissioners are working well, and/or challenge when changes or improvements need to be made. We believe that our voice and those of families in Oxfordshire was heard loud and clear by the Inspectors and we welcome the findings of the inspection.

Jules Francis-Sinclair and Stephanie Harrison, Oxfordshire Parent Carers Forum (OxPCF) Co-Chairs, said: “OxPCF recognises the widespread systemic failings identified in the inspection of local statutory services and has worked hard to share the views of local parent carers with SEND services across the county. We share the frustration of local families about the consistent and repeated lack of action, duty, and care in many areas.

“We are pleased that some areas of good practice have been identified by the inspectors and look forward to working with the new leadership team to build on these to address the issues raised. “We reiterate our commitment to providing a channel for the voice of local families and hope that the findings of this inspection will lead to much needed improvements in SEND services and outcomes for children and young people across Oxfordshire.”

We are expecting to work constructively with the local authority, health and education services over the coming months to identify immediate priorities and to support the development of an action plan. We encourage families to get in touch with us at info@oxpcf.org.uk to share their priorities and suggested actions for SEND services in Oxfordshire. We will continue to represent the voices of parent carers of children and young people with SEND in Oxfordshire and keep families informed as work progresses.

End

Notes

What is a parent carer forum?:

The way parent carers work with professionals is by forming groups called parent carer forums. A parent carer forum is a group of parents and carers of disabled children. Their aim is to make sure the services in their area meet the needs of disabled children and their families. They do this by gathering the views of local families and then working in partnership with local authorities, education settings, health providers and other providers to highlight where local services, processes and commissioners are working well, or challenge when changes or improvements need to be made. Parent carer forums are independent of the local authority and run by volunteers.

Who funds parent carer forums?:

There is a grant available for a parent carer forum in every local authority area in England from the Department for Education (DfE) to support their development and strategic involvement in local services. The grant is administered by Contact.

More Information