ALLOW City of Wolverhampton Education Providers' Bulletin Special Edition: 10 November 2021

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Education Providers' Bulletin Special Edition 

Wednesday 10 November 2021

City of Wolverhampton
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Bulletin Summary


  1. Wolverhampton Local Area OfSTED/CQC SEND Inspection Outcome


Wolverhampton Local Area OfSTED/CQC SEND Inspection Outcome


Dear Colleague

I’m sure that many of you will have read or heard local media make reference to our Local Area SEND inspection outcome letter, which is still to be published on the Ofsted website, but following receipt of the report late on Friday, we have made available in the spirit of transparency and openness (with Ofsted’s permission, of course).

As a result of the findings from the inspection we are being asked to co-produce a Written Statement of Action with our strategic partners, specifically the CCG, outlining in detail how we propose to address the areas that were raised as key issues.  This is an outcome we fully expected, knowing ourselves as we do and acknowledging that we are still on a journey to improve services, support and provision for children, young people and their families where there are additional educational needs.  Indeed 7 out of 8 SEND Local Area inspections carried out nationally since they recommenced in June have had the same outcome, being required to develop, submit and have approved a Written Statement of Action.

On receipt of the outcome letter we were however relieved that each of the key areas highlighted in the report were clearly identified in our self-evaluation that we submitted to Ofsted in the days prior to the inspection following notification of the visit.  No unexpected areas of concern were found and there was clear acknowledgement that recently appointed leaders overseeing the SEND and Inclusion work in Wolverhampton know what needs to be done and are already addressing these issues through the SEND Strategy and Improvement programmes such as the Culture of Inclusion and Belonging that so many of you are involved with, playing a key role to contribute to and improve the overall provision in the City for SEND children and young people.

Particularly pleasing were the frequent positive references to the great work done in schools for these children and the recognition that families are extremely positive about their experiences, support and provision both with and from schools relating to all aspects of their children’s learning journeys. 

I attach a detailed briefing note highlighting the key issues and the many strengths identified.  Of course, we know that there is still much work to do and we will continually seek to improve how support is delivered by the Local Authority and health providers commissioned by the CCG.  As you will read also, we have much to be applauded, including the Outreach Service, SENDIASS and Early Years Identification support and provision.

Finally, I would like to again reiterate my thanks and heartfelt appreciation for your involvement in the inspection, those schools who were visited and the many that engaged with focus groups, meetings and the online surveys as well as encouraging parents and carers to become involved in the inspection process.

I am confident that together, we will make the rapid improvements that are required and which we are already in the process of making.  What we need to do now is provide tangible evidence of the impact of the work we are doing and the difference this is making to children and young people with SEND, their outcomes and overall quality of life. I look forward to continuing our journey, working together with schools, to achieve our vision.

Lead person to contact in the LA:

Brenda Wile
Deputy Director of Education
Brenda.Wile@wolverhampton.gov.uk



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