Local Area SEND Inspection Report

A Local Area Inspection took place in September 2018, which was undertaken by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The final report has now been published and can be read in full here: SEND Inspection Report – Stockport

The inspection was to determine the local areas’ effectiveness in identifying and meeting the needs of children and young people who have special educational needs and/or disabilities and evaluate how much progress has been made in implementing the SEND Code of Practice 0-25 years, since its implementation in September 2014.

During the inspection inspectors visited settings, schools and a college, talked to, or were contacted by, a significant number of parents and also spoke to children and young people with SEND.

The Council and CCG held three feedback events for parents and carers on:

  • 28 November 6.15pm-7.45pm at the Holiday Inn Express, 11 Station Rd, Stockport SK3 9JD.
  • 10 December at 1.00pm-2.30pm and 6pm-7.30pm at Stockport County FC, Edgeley Park, Hardcastle Rd, Stockport SK3 9DD.

Cllr Tom McGee, Chair of the Stockport Health and Wellbeing Board said:

“We welcome the feedback from the CQC and Ofsted following their recent review of Stockport’s Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) inspection. The inspection team reflected that we are on a transformational journey in Stockport and acknowledged that many improvements had already been made.

Whilst the review highlighted some positives including the dedication of front-line workers, we recognise there is much more that needs to be done. Both the Council and CCG are already addressing the areas for improvement and the leadership across the partners are committed to drive the changes that are needed, so the children and young people and their families are given the right support when they need it.” 

Cllr Dean Fitzpatrick, Stockport Council’s Cabinet Member for Education said:

“The inspectors commended the care and support for those children and young people who have the most complex health needs and quality of school provision in Stockport, however they also highlighted significant areas of weakness. We are already addressing the areas for improvements and the Council and CCG accept that there is still a lot of work to do with families to improve the quality of services

We are committed to deliver better, more-focussed support and this inspection has shown how we can improve that support.  I do want to thank all those dedicated professionals who deliver care and support to local families every day.” 

Dr Cath Briggs, GP Clinical Chair of the CCG said:

“We are determined to address the short comings found in the Inspection report and we will work with our partners to ensure that we get better in co-producing services with our community groups, parents, carers and young people, to ensure we have a shared strategic vision for the whole of Stockport”.

“Whilst the final report was difficult and disappointing to read, we recognise that there is more we can do in partnership with families to improve local services.

The report does recognise the hard work and commitment of staff involved in providing support within education, health and social care and the real difference that they are able to make for local families.”

To raise a question or comment about the SEND Inspection report please email SENDreport@stockport.gov.uk.