Telford mental health waits 'unacceptable' for youngsters

Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission has published the findings of their inspection special educational needs and disabilities provision in Telford and Wrekin.

Though the report acknowledges a number of strengths, it says there are areas where the borough could be doing better, including in insuring young people get medical help more quickly.

During the inspection at the end of May, inspectors from both bodies spoke with children and young people who have special educational needs and or disabilities, parents and carers and officers from the local authority and the National Health Service (NHS).

They visited a range of providers and spoke to leaders, staff and governors about how they were implementing the special educational needs reforms. They also looked at a range of information about the performance of the local area, including the local area’s self-evaluation and met with leaders from the local area for health, social care and education.

But the newly-published report says the borough needs to do more to make sure children and young people and their families do not have to tell their story repeatedly, even to staff in the same service at follow-up appointments and to make sure young people are seen in a timely manner.

It says: "The waiting times for health services, including those for children and young people who have mental health difficulties, are unacceptable. A few parents are justifiably concerned that the waiting times, particularly for child and adolescent mental health services, negatively affect their child’s social and emotional wellbeing.

"In addition, the services provided by school nurses and children’s community services, such as physiotherapy, are insufficiently developed. This contributes to delays in the early identification and referral of children with additional needs.

"Commissioners of health services do not have a clear view of whether their actions are having a positive impact on improving children and young people’s outcomes. The waiting times for health services, including those for children and young people who have mental health difficulties, are unacceptable.

"A few parents are justifiably concerned that the waiting times, particularly for child and adolescent mental health services, negatively affect their child’s social and emotional wellbeing.

"In addition, the services provided by school nurses and children’s community services, such as physiotherapy, are insufficiently developed. This contributes to delays in the early identification and referral of children with additional needs."

It added: "Commissioners of health services do not have a clear view of whether their actions are having a positive impact on improving children and young people’s outcomes.

"A large number of annual reviews of statements of special educational needs and education, health and care plans are not completed in time. Leaders are taking effective action to reduce the backlog."

Councillor Shirley Reynolds, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for education and skills, said: “We really welcome this report and are committed to implementing the recommendations as quickly as possible.

"We acknowledge that it gives us some clear indications of areas to improve.

“This includes arrangements for joint commissioning of services with health colleagues and the completion of annual reviews of education, health and care plans within timescales.”

David Evans, chief officer of Telford and Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “We are committed to working in partnership with our local authority colleagues to make improvements that benefit children and young people special educational needs and disabilities.”

The Ofsted inspection recognised “a clear will, drive and determination in Telford and Wrekin…to improve the provision for children and young people who have special educational needs and disabilities”.

It highlights that leaders have recognised that the implementation of reforms was too slow and as a result have restructured its management arrangements and appointed key staff to lead on education, health and care policy and practice.

The report found that Telford & Wrekin Council’s checks and evaluation of its performance are generally thorough and accurate.