AN inspection of Barnsley’s support for children and young people with special needs and disabilities has sparked anger from parents.
Under the new national inspection framework, which no longer gives ratings such as good or outstanding, local areas now receive one of three outcome statements.
Barnsley’s result places it in the highest of the three possible outcomes categories, reflecting that children and young people with SEND generally have positive experiences, with clear actions underway to further strengthen support.
Inspectors from Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission found that most youngsters have their needs identified early and accurately, with families benefiting from ‘strong help’ with professionals working closely alongside them thanks to tailored education, health and care plans (EHCPs).
Jonathan Wainwright, 48, an ex-teacher and father of three, spoke of his dismay having read the findings.
“I laughed - it was almost a hysteria,” he said.
“The emotion was so far away from the expectation that we would find some kind of accountability in the system.
“I just thought ‘this cannot be someone’s interpretation’.”
Mr Wainwright is the father to 16-year-old William, known as Billy, who suffered developmental regression when he was 18 months old and is also diagnosed as autistic.
As a teacher, Mr Wainwright, worked with over-14s who had special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
He is calling on the new Reform-led council to carry out an investigation into the report, which he says is not reflective of the SEND support in Barnsley.
“The Reform leader at the council has come out and praised this work,” he added.
“He has gone against all the principles of what Reform said it was about.
“This has landed on his doorstep and he can either leave it or listen to the people and investigate.”
He is part of a Facebook forum for parents and carers of SEND children and young people.
In a recent poll on the page, 94 per cent of respondents said that the current SEND services in Barnsley were ‘an absolute joke’.
Council leader William Brown added: “Firstly, I want to thank parents and families who continue to speak up about their experiences with SEND services in Barnsley. While we recognise the achievements of Barnsley Council’s SEND team and the valuable work they deliver, we also understand the frustration and concern some families feel.
Our administration has only been in place for two weeks, but we are open to investigating concerns raised following the recent SEND inspection report and listening carefully to residents, parents, and professionals.
I would also like to personally invite Mr Wainwright to Barnsley Town Hall for an open and constructive discussion so we can better understand the concerns being raised and how we can work together to improve services going forward.
We are committed to ensuring every child and family receives the support, care, and opportunities they deserve.”
This marks a new era for Barnsley with a council that not only listens to residents but actively works with them to improve local services.
