We work closely with our colleagues in Newcastle and Gateshead councils to provide services and support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (sometimes known as SEND).
This includes:
- Commissioning services for children and young people (up to age 25) with special educational needs and disabilities, including those who have Education Health and Care plans (EHCPs). An education, health and care plan is for children and young people aged up to 25 who need more support than is available through special educational needs support.
- Working with local authorities to contribute to the ‘local offer’ of services available for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
- Working to ensure that practitioners and clinicians support the education, health and care needs assessment process.
- Agreeing personal budgets, where they are provided for children and young people with EHCPs (Education, Health and Care Plans).
This work is outlined in the Special education needs and disability (SEND) code of practice.
Special educational needs and disabilities in Newcastle – improvement plan
An inspection of special educational needs and disabilities services in Newcastle took place in April 2018, and identified a number of areas where services need strengthening.
As a result, Newcastle City Council and Newcastle Gateshead CCG produced an improvement plan – known as a Written Statement of Action – to address these issues.
We have worked closely with our education colleagues and listened to parents, carers and families, as well as children and young people themselves, to ensure their voices are heard and captured as we work to improve services.
The CCG and Council have jointly funded a new member of staff to work with children, young people and families and help them take part in discussions around the improvement plan.
You can find out more about how children, young people and their families have helped us to improve services for special educational needs and disabilities in Newcastle, by visiting our Get Involved section.
You can keep track of our progress by reading the Written Statement of Action.
Find out more
‘Local Offer’ websites outline what families of children with special educational needs and disabilities can expect from local agencies:
