Have your say on Hertfordshire’s new SEND strategy

Today (Thursday 6 November), our ambitious draft three-year strategy was approved for consultation by Hertfordshire County Council’s Cabinet, who hailed it as a significant step forward in shaping inclusive services for children and young people across the county. 

Directly informed by more than 1,000 voices, Hertfordshire’s draft SEND strategy is driven by feedback from children, young people and their families, along with professionals from education, health and voluntary sectors. It sets out how the local area SEND partnership - led by Hertfordshire County Council and the NHS Integrated Care Board covering Hertfordshire - will work together over the next three years, reflecting a shared commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

The strategy’s six key ambitions reflect what families, professionals in education, health and social care sector and those working in voluntary organisations have told us is important to them. The ambitions have been shaped through extensive consultation and designed to make a tangible difference to children and families, delivering better outcomes and service experience:

• Listen, engage, collaborate, evolve: clearer communication and more opportunities for families to share thoughts and ideas. Learning from mistakes and working together to improve services.
• Early identification and support: Children are supported to have the best possible start, with needs identified early and support based on needs, not diagnosis. Families will have support to access advice and guidance available on the Local Offer
• Local provision for children and young people: Children will get the help they need in their local school, and those with more complex needs will have specialist support available and more options for college or training as they approach adulthood.
• Aspiration for all: We want every child to feel welcome, supported and able to learn in a place that works for them.
• Preparing for the future: Children are supported to plan for the future with help to understand the options available to them and services will plan for children’s next steps.
• Strong foundations: A skilled, trained and supported workforce to communicate with families in an accurate, compassionate and timely manner. Leaders will continuously explore new technologies and seek innovative solutions to make processes more efficient and increase time staff can spend supporting children and families.

The consultation is due to start on Friday 14 November and will run until 6 February. Children and young people, parents and carers, and professionals in schools, health, and social care are invited to share their views to help refine the strategy and identify priorities for action.

• Read Hertfordshire’s draft SEND strategy and find out how to take part in the consultation: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/SENDstrategy

Councillor Mark Watkin, Executive Member for Education, SEND and Inclusion at Hertfordshire County Council, said:

“This strategy draws on the experience of those who know Hertfordshire’s SEND system best - building on strengths and addressing areas for change. Over recent months we’ve been listening, learning, and working together to make sure we’re on the right path.

“Now, with a refreshed plan and renewed focus, we have the chance to build on the summers’ listening and engagement activity to drive improvement. And, as we face national changes and challenges together, we will continue to collaborate with a clear focus: delivering the best possible outcomes for Hertfordshire’s children and young people.”

Beverley Flowers, Iead Director for SEND in the NHS in Hertfordshire, added:

“It’s great to hear from children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and their parents and carers. Patients are at the heart of everything we do in the NHS and we want to ensure the best quality care and support. Our new strategy demonstrates our commitment to giving every child the best start in life.”