Following a request to assess Rutland's SEND performance, on the 17th of March 2022, SEND parents met with members of Rutland County Council and relevant staff to discuss the care given to the children of Rutland with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

The group Rutland Parent Carer Voice arranged the meeting in response to the disappointment of many parents regarding the length of time it took the Council to review the Educational Health and Care Plans for their children.

Rutland has upwards of 280 children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, with a further 250 receiving support in schools, and this Rutland Parent Carer Event gave the parents of these children the space to voice their concerns regarding the care given by the Council.

Dawn Godfrey, the Strategic Director for Children and Families, opened the meeting: "I want this to be an open dialogue. What we need to get to by the end of this meeting is a way forward, that shows the path we positively want to go down together."

She discussed the aims of the Council, the successes achieved so far through earlier SEND intervention, adding: "We have a good co-production with parents which reflects across the area. I am not going to say everything is perfect – we are always striving to be better and we want to be better and collaborate with you positively."

Despite her words of encouragement, frustrations were voiced and the meeting quickly became heated.

Communication was blamed, by both the Council and the parents present, for the disparities in SEND care in Rutland.

One parent said: "I am looking at you today, and I don't know any of you. I don't know your names. We need to know who to contact, where to turn."

Another parent, Fabienne Rose, calmed the situation, saying: "I think as a community we are quite defensive, as we have had to fight for everything – and I mean everything. No one tells us what we can have, we have to find it, which is where I think communication has been an issue."

Another key issue raised was the education provisions for SEND children, with many children having to go out of county to receive the care and schooling that they need.

Louise Crookenden-Johnson of Rutland County Council said that this is financially unviable.

A parent then asked that if that was the case, why is it every specialist school in a 50 mile radius is oversubscribed and meeting the needs of the children who attend?

One mother, Mrs Gillions asked: "Why is an SEN school not being discussed now, when it was in 2013, and there are more SEN children now than we did then?"

This school was allegedly set to open in 2015, offering 50 places in Rutland so that children could be closer to their families and peers.

This and many other discussion points will be covered in the April feedback.

RPCV, the group who arranged the meeting, explained: "RCC asked for questions from parents in advance and stated any that didn't get answered will be published in April.

"Going forward, Rutland County Council recognised the need for quicker and clearer SEND information, including regular updates on any staff changes and EHCP statistics. The forum will be working with them to ensure parents get the correct information they need in a timely manner.

"It was a little disappointing that more parents couldn't make it, however, a recording will be available as soon as possible.

"If anyone would like information about what we do as Rutland's official parent carer forum or a copy of the meeting's recording please email [email protected]."

Councillor David Wilby, Conservative candidate and Portfolio Holder for Education and Children's Services, concluded the meeting: "I have been watching what goes on in children's services, and I have been listening very carefully."

Promises of better communication were made, and a report is set to be published in lieu of the meeting in April 2022.

The survey that was released in advance of this meeting by a group of parents will be open until April. It can be found here.

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