'Better help for parents of SEND children needed'

'CLARITY REQUIRED ON THE TRIAGE PROCESS', REPORT HIGHLIGHTS

- By GARETH LIGHTFOOT

Cllr Clare Besford said the in-depth report would benefit children and young people in Stockton

BETTER communication and more help for parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is needed to improve early help for children, a report has found.

Communication could be improved to avoid “duplication and families having to repeat their stories to different professionals’ and partners could take a lead with families with whom they had built up relationships, “rather than just referring them to the council services all the time’ Stockton Council’s people select committee heard.

And one committee member has expressed worries about the “horrendous” growing cost of children’s services.

The committee has reviewed partnerships in early help in a bid to improve services following the announcement of the Department for Education’s Families First Partnership Programme, national reforms bringing together social and support workers with other specialists to support families.

Councillors heard of a wide range of services including the Children’s Hub - which acts as a “front door” for referrals - along with family hubs, teams, health and voluntary services and projects helping families and young people.

They found “good working relationships” with accessible family hubs bringing together services and information, and professionals offering a “comprehensive support system for families” at the earliest opportunity.

But no action was taken on almost two thirds of social care assessments, suggesting “clarity is needed on the triage process at the front door”.