COUNCIL bosses will discuss efforts to improve the system of Education Health and Care Plans for children and young people in the district.

A report going to Bradford Council’s Executive tomorrow morning reveals that the percentage of under 25s still waiting for their appropriate plans has dropped by two thirds following improvements to the assessment process. Further work is being carried out to make sure the Council meets the 20 week assessment targets.

A district wide review of SEND provision (special educational needs and development) and school places has created an additional 354 places within the district and a SEND strategic partnership board between the local authority and the Clinical Commissioning Groups has been created to oversee the delivery of the SEND reforms across the district.

At the beginning of the year, the Local Authority put in place a new integrated assessment team to better manage the case load of children with special educational needs or disabilities following engagement with schools, parents/cares and young people.

Public urged to have their say on SEND strategy

Three SEND Ambassadors have also been appointed to champion the voice of children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities to provide feedback on the development of key strategies.

Parent listening events were also held in June and November to provide an opportunity to talk to professionals and give feedback on SEND services and the Local Offer website before making improvements to the site. Further parent listening events are planned across the district from January to June 2020.

Councillor Imran Khan, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Education, Employment and Skills said: “This year has seen real progress in improving the provision of services for children and young people with special educational needs or disability.

“We are aware there is much more work to do to further improve the time taken to create education health care plans for families and improve their ability to access the information they need to make the right choices.

“Bradford’s Local Offer is now being seen as a beacon of good practice and we look forward to working with our partners to make further progress in 2020.”

The Executive meets in City Hall at 10.30am.