SEND support survey feedback 2023
3. Communication
You have said there are challenges with communication.
Children, young people and their parent carers shared their experiences of not feeling listened to, when communicating with school and services.
They felt that their views were not being taken into consideration or acted upon. Several families felt 'abandoned' and 'ignored', when attempting to communicate with services. They expressed a need for services to be more easily contactable. They shared their frustration with having to reiterate information to numerous professionals.
However, some families shared positive views with regards to their experiences communicating with SEND services and expressed that they felt that their views had been listened to.
'All I want is to be understood and get help that I need, so my mum and dad aren't worrying about what's going to happen next. I don't have school for September so I know this is a worry for my mum and dad as they don't know what to do next.' (CYP)
''School do not listen to her individual needs.'(PC)
"Getting feedback is very slow from school. Often feel forgotten about and frustrated." (PC)
"Every time I speak to someone I have to go back over old ground and tell them how we've got to where we are today. They have no understanding of the past work that has been done or even of any decisions that have been made." (PC)
"My teacher tells me off when I cant help it. My mummy and daddy help me when I'm scared or there's too many people." (CYP)
"My child cannot enjoy life at all currently due to the failure of LA to listen to our school preference. She is struggling a lot with not being listened to, uncertainty and the worry about being in another environment she cannot cope with. They say the childs voice is of up most importance, but its not true. Saving money is of upmost importance." (PC)
"It’s all well and good having telephone line email etc but if you never get response or cannot get through it pointless and this has been our experience years of no communication or little communication makes you very cynical."(PC)
What we have done and are working on...
Information events
We held online Working Together Events in July and December 2023 for parent carers to share their views and hear what the SEND Partnership has done in response.
We also held 24 drop-in information events in the 12 districts with more planned for 2024.
Inclusion helpline for EHC plans
An inclusion helpline has been set up. Schools and parent carers can speak to one of the Inclusion Team about education, health and care (EHC) plans.
- Tel: 01772 533900