Yesterday the 7th of April 2022, a local group of SEND carers sent an open letter to Councillor Paul Ainsley under the umbrella SEND Action Rutland.

SEND Action Rutland is part of a UK based network of families, individuals and organisations committed to upholding the rights of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and improving accountability within the SEND system.

The letter was addressed to Paul Ainsley, the head of the Children's Services Scrutiny Committee at Rutland County Council, and all members of the Scrutiny Committee, following a meeting on the 17th of March 2022.

This meeting was hosted by Rutland County Council and Rutland Parent Carer Voice and allowed parents to voice their concerns surrounding the care given to SEND children in the county.

The results of this meeting are expected to be published today, Friday the 8th of March 2022.

In the meantime, the letter from SEND Action Rutland can be read below:

"We are SEND Action Rutland, a group of parents, carers and professionals formed in response to the growing SEND crisis in our community. SEND Action Rutland (SAR) is the regional branch of SEND Action UK, the national campaign group and we are a part of the SEND Community Alliance. As a group, we represent the views, rights and voices of young people with SEND, their parents, carers and families in Rutland and we are looking to improve accountability within the SEND service. SEND Action Rutland are writing this letter because we feel that we are not heard as parents and carers of children with SEND in Rutland.

"In March, RPCV hosted a conference with RCC children's services. RCC acknowledged that one of the most fundamental problems parents and carers face is lack of communication from the SEND department. Many parents and carers were not informed of vital changes to staffing structure etc, and even details about the RPCV conference itself.

"SEND Action Rutland have conducted their own recent survey. Out of the 62 parents and carers surveyed, accounting for 78 EHCPs, the lack of communication with parent carers was highlighted, with over 62% of the people surveyed being under the impression they are not listened to by RCC.

"Integral issues with the mechanics of the EHCP process were also highlighted at the conference, with issues such as the LA not adhering to timeframes, using 'cut and paste' to write individual plans and using inadequate evidence to write plans. Refusal to assess and issue rates in Rutland are one of the highest in the country, as highlighted in an article by Special Needs Jungle. There are also issues around refusal to follow tribunal orders and failure to obtain up to date health advice at annual reviews. Many settings also speak of their frustration at the EHCP process, finding obtaining a plan and any subsequent funding for a child, a long and often fruitless process, when they are already loaded down with paperwork and struggling to care for a child with additional needs. Rutland is one of a handful of LAs who use barristers at tribunal, at great expense to the tax payer, with little recourse in the way of success.

"An overall dismissive attitude towards parents appears to purvey at RCC. This is made apparent by an almost combative approach to the request for services for children with SEND. 60% of participants surveyed felt they have had to fight for services for their children. This is wholly unacceptable and often leads to a culture of parent blame and consequently, poor parental mental health. Parents often feel that their experiences with the system are inconsistent to each other's and are often invalidated by staff response. SAR have gathered as many personal stories as possible but many families are afraid to speak out. We are sure you'll agree, it makes difficult reading. Children and their families being repeatedly failed by an outdated system.

"The dismissive attitude towards parent carers is reiterated again in the statistics surrounding social care and assessments. Our survey showed 65% of participants have had intervention from Early Help or Social Care, but only 27% found it helpful. Out of all the participants surveyed, only 18% have had a carers assessment. Sadly, only 4% found it helpful. These figures are frankly shocking. Parents are a valuable commodity to the LA and have a wealth of knowledge about their own children and are best placed to care for them. But instead of being empowered and enabled, parents are left feeling unsupported and isolated, leading to mistrust in the LA and ultimately, the LA failing in their duty of care.

"Rutland is in desperate need of a purpose-built specialist provision. However, RCC feel that such a provision is financially unviable. SAR have asked for the data that backs the view of financial unviability, but this is yet to be received. The National SEND reform green paper highlights the need to keep children at school within their locality. This concept will clearly be an issue with Rutland in particular, which was recently highlighted by Alicia Kearns MP in parliament. Rutland only has provision for mild to moderate learning disabilities, in the form of specialist units such as the DSP at Oakham C of E school and the ERP at Uppingham Community College, with limited places at these facilities. Children with severe or profound and multiple learning disabilities will still have to travel out of county, often for over 45 minutes, more than the recommended travel time for children. Rutland spends a large amount (£900k) of the High Needs budget on transporting children out of county to specialist provisions. This would be significantly reduced by allowing Rutland to have a specialist school.

"SEND Action Rutland genuinely hope for change for all children with SEND and look forward to working together with Rutland County Council to find ways forward."

Anyone wishing to sign this letter before the 14th of April can contact the group to do so via their email address: [email protected].

Alternatively, the group can be found online and on Facebook.

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