Mum criticises council for failing to label much-criticised SEND service as a top priority

Tracy Winchester, whose children Rowan and Maive have a range of complex needs, has hit out at Worcestershire County Council for not making a single reference to children with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) in its new corporate plan.

The council said its plan, which sets out its ‘core priorities, visions and objectives’ for the next five years, makes ‘consistent references’ to children and young people and would focus on all children – including those with additional needs and disabilities.

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Cllr Tracey Onslow, the county council’s new cabinet member for education, said: “Putting all children at the heart of everything we do permeates throughout all our activity, and informs how we work with partners to achieve the best outcomes for all our children and young people.

“To provide the best possible opportunities we must be part of a multi-agency commitment to invest in our children and young people and ensure our services support them to flourish.

“We continue our focus on improving the life experience and outcomes for all children and young people in Worcestershire including for those with additional needs and disabilities. 

“The plan commits to listening to young people and families, keeping children safe, providing a good educational offer and supporting the physical and mental health of all children and young people, to enable children and young people to achieve their full potential.”

FAMILY: Tracy Winchester with her husband Russ and children Rowan and Maive

Concerns about the council’s SEND service were raised during a reinspection by Ofsted in November last year which found that while there had been some improvements, it was still failing in four key areas - particularly the service’s fragile relationship with parents and carers and the lack of adequate care plans.

Mrs Winchester said she was left “truly disgusted” after her request to speak to councillors before last week’s full meeting at County Hall was turned down, adding that she will be making a formal complaint.

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The council said Mrs Winchester had missed its deadline to speak at the meeting despite its own website saying otherwise.

“We are aware that alternative timescales are present on our website and we will ensure the information on these pages are more clear to avoid any confusion in the future,” a spokesperson said.