Nottinghamshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and SEND, Councillor Ben Bradley, made his comments in response to a petition to the council asking for improvements to be made.

Councillor Bradley said: “We absolutely recognise the issue and sympathise with young people and families. We know that there are huge challenges in the SEND system.

“We are doing everything in our power to ensure that we are improving all the elements that are within our local control ,and providing the best services possible to Nottinghamshire families, whilst recognising that we still have more work to do.”

The responsibility for delivery of SEND services and provision across Nottinghamshire is shared by the local area partnership of the county council, the NHS Integrated Care Board, NHS healthcare providers and education settings.

In the past two years, a local independently chaired SEND Improvement Board has been set up to oversee the partnership’s improvement plans.

In addition, regular scrutiny comes from the Department for Education, NHS England, Ofsted and CQC.

Councillor Bradley continued: “The board’s independent chair and the external bodies have recognised that Nottinghamshire has shown some real commitment to this, and has made progress since the 2023 inspection.

“This is encouraging but it is work in progress.

“In terms of local funding for SEND services and provision, significant investment has been made to increase capacity and resource.

“Nottinghamshire’s spending on SEND services and provision in education settings has increased by almost 50 per cent since 2021 to £133m, with a further £11m coming in the next financial year. So it’s been a real priority for us.’’

The county council has also invested more than £3m to improve its SEND services, including Education Psychology Service and Integrated Children’s Disability Services.

Since 2021, an additional £46.5m investment will create almost 500 new special school places.

There are now more education, health and care (EHC) plans now being put in place within the required timescales, since improvement plans were put in place.

However, there has been a continued increase in demand locally and nationally meaning that the vast majority of local authorities are currently not meeting the statutory 20-week timeframe.

Councillor Bradley added “We recognise that improvements need to continue and remain committed to making positive changes wherever possible.

“We are building stronger relationships with families to make sure their voices are heard and to understand their lived experiences of SEND services.

“We do this through both a formal partnership with the Nottinghamshire Parent Carer Forum as well as informal participation with families and young people.

“The partnership has worked together and with children, young people and families to co-produce agreed outcomes for Nottinghamshire’s children and young people with SEND.

“We know that there is still more to be done to improve the experiences of families. That has to include national reforms to the SEND system, which is not currently fit for purpose or funded properly. Fundamentally, this will only properly be resolved when that national change is agreed and implemented. We’re working with partners and speaking to Government to push for that to happen.

He added: “SEND is a key area for this council, and we are committed to improving the experiences of children and young people with special needs, and their families".

For anyone wanting to contribute to the local area SEND improvement work or to sign up to get involved, email  send.improvement@nottscc.gov.uk