A culture of care: inspectors praise City of London SEND support

Services for children with special educational needs and disabilities have received a notably warm assessment this week, following a joint inspection by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission. The review found that City of London SEND support is rooted in a culture of close collaboration, with professionals across education, health and social care working together to meet the needs of children and young people living in the Square Mile.

Inspectors examined how the City of London Local Area Partnership, drawing together the City of London Corporation, NHS North East London Integrated Care Board and local parents, identifies and supports young people with additional needs. Their verdict was strikingly positive. The report describes a “deeply embedded culture of collaboration,” one in which practitioners “really know their young people” and respond with “flexibility, confidence and care.”

Much of the strength, inspectors noted, comes from the close involvement of families. Through the Parent Carer Forum, City parents help to shape key strategies, including approaches to neurodevelopmental support and the wider SEND plan. This emphasis on listening to those directly affected echoes broader movements in inclusive education and community voice, explored by organisations such as the Council for Disabled Children and supported by research from the National Development Team for Inclusion.

Helen Fentimen, Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Community and Children’s Services Committee, welcomed the findings. “This is a really positive report which recognises the efforts of everyone who works tirelessly to ensure our children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities get the support they need,” she said.

“What shines through is the way in which leaders and practitioners really know their young people, and the care taken to ensure they get support individually tailored to their needs, giving them the best chance of enjoying successful, happy lives.”

Inspectors also highlighted the value of short-break services that allow children to socialise with peers, alongside a well-regarded advice service for families and thoughtful transition arrangements for pupils moving to schools outside the City.

Charlotte Pomery, Chief Strategic Commissioning Officer at NHS North East London, said the partnership’s strength lay in early identification and high-quality assessments. “We’re delighted that this report acknowledges the collaborative efforts of local partners in supporting children and young people with SEND and their families,” she said. “The inspectors have recognised the early identification of need and the range of effective assessment and health support services provided, including speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and mental health support.”

The full report is available to read on Ofsted’s website.

For more thoughtful reporting on life in the Square Mile, from policy to people, follow EyeOnLondon City and explore our latest features, interviews and investigations.

Follow us on:

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest videos and updates!

We value your thoughts! Share your feedback and help us make EyeOnLondon even better!