This week, 14 representatives of Worcestershire Parent Carer Forum met with senior officials from Worcestershire County Council and Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust.
Attendees included Adam Johnston (Director of Children’s Services), Daniela Carson (Director of All-Age Disability), Mari Gay (Managing Director for NHS H&W), and Richard Keble (Programme Director for Mental Health, Learning Disabilities & Autism).
This meeting marked the first of several monthly workshops. Discussions focused on the quality and timeliness of EHCPs, waiting times for CAMHS, and the availability of specialist placements and alternative provisions. These issues were highlighted in a recent Ofsted and CQC report, which identified ‘widespread and systemic failings’ in Worcestershire’s SEND services.
Our Parent Carer representatives, drawing from their personal experiences, passionately and honestly spoke on behalf of all Worcestershire SEND families across these topics. The feedback and ideas they provided are expected to contribute to the Improvement Plan that Worcestershire Local Area Partnership will submit to the Department for Education.
This marks a step forward in our journey to achieve genuine co-production in Worcestershire. We will update you as the Improvement Plan evolves to reflect our input.
