A school leader's perspective: Inside the Nottinghamshire SEND Improvement Board
After almost a year as a member of the SEND Improvement Board, Matt Rooney (Principal, St Giles School, Retford), shares his perspective of Notts’ SEND improvement journey.
As a school leader in Nottinghamshire, I've always been passionate about ensuring all our students, especially those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), have the best possible outcomes. So, when the opportunity to join the newly formed Nottinghamshire SEND Improvement Board came up last July, I didn't hesitate.
The board's creation stemmed from the Ofsted and Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection in early 2023. While the inspection highlighted areas for significant improvement, it also acknowledged the dedication of professionals across the county. The board's purpose resonates deeply with me: to oversee and drive positive, systemic change for SEND provision in Nottinghamshire.
Partnership and collaboration is key
One of the most striking aspects of the board is its composition. We have representatives from various sectors – healthcare providers, the Integrated Care Board (ICB), local authorities, parents and carers, and most importantly, we hear from children and young people themselves. This collaborative approach is crucial. SEND improvement and transformation requires a holistic approach, where all partners work effectively together.
Identifying needs, prioritising action
Our initial focus has been on the SEND improvement plan, a roadmap outlining key areas for improvement. These include ensuring timely and accurate identification of needs, fostering student and family participation in decision-making, and streamlining access to appropriate services across all providers.
The plan is not a theoretical document. Leaders hold regular meetings, diving deep into specific areas and provide support and challenge to leaders from across the area partnership, which the board reviews at each meeting. Actionable steps are then defined, with clear ownership and measurable outcomes. This ensures accountability and keeps the momentum going. The board rightly tests and holds leaders to account when it comes to prioritising actions and ultimately delivering improved outcomes.
Challenges and opportunities
Undoubtedly, there are challenges and some of them a pretty big, such as the increased demand for assessments, post-pandemic legacy, significant waiting times for some services and pressures on schools. Funding and resources are also constant concerns. Nottinghamshire is one of the lowest funded areas when it comes to SEND. However, the board's collaborative spirit fosters creative solutions and supports leaders to take on the challenge. Leaders are developing more ways to share expertise and resources across the county, maximising impact and reducing duplication. The board is also challenging leaders to secure and invest additional money where they can.
The board also presents exciting opportunities. We're over-seeing the work on improving communication between schools, healthcare providers, and families. This will ensure a smoother transition for students with SEND, especially during critical junctures like moving from primary to secondary school or into a more specialist setting.
A shared vision for the future
Being part of the board has been an enriching experience. It's inspiring to witness the collective commitment to improving SEND provision, which is worlds apart from the time of the inspection. There really is a genuine sense of shared vision, a desire to make a tangible difference in the lives of our most vulnerable children and young people.
Of course, change takes time. But, with the dedication and collaborative spirit displayed by leaders across the partnership and the board, I'm confident that Nottinghamshire will become a beacon of excellence in SEND support. This, in turn, will empower all our students, regardless of their needs, to reach their full potential.
A board member's perspective
As a leader of a school specifically for learners with SEND, I understand the complexities of navigating the support system and supporting our families to do the same, which often felt disconnected and stretched. Joining the Nottinghamshire SEND Improvement Board offered a chance to contribute directly to positive change.
The board's structure is its greatest strength. Under the independent leadership of Dame Christine Lenehan, the board ensures all voices are heard and is tightly focussed on providing challenge and support for leaders to drive the required improvements across the whole SEND system. Christine is a life-long advocate for children and adults with SEND and makes sure they are at the centre of our work. She also keeps a keen eye on the pace of improvement and momentum sustained. The board really does leave no stone unturned.
Another strength of the board is having representatives from the Department for Education and NHE England as members. This enables us to focus on the improvements we need to, whilst also remaining acutely aware of the national context and challenges. It also means that those departments are part of our journey and can provide feedback and suggestions in real-time to improve outcomes.
The inclusion of parents/carers ensures the student and family voice is central to all discussions. We hear from leaders and parents/carers about real-life experiences, that highlight challenges and potential improvements and task them on how they are enabling the change required for those children and their families. The tighter focus on supporting and working with the Nottinghamshire parent carer forum (NottsPCF), is another positive step, as is demanding clearer communication channels and accessible resources for families and professionals, to ensure everybody is better equipped to support children and young people’s journeys through life.
Transparency and measurable progress
The board's commitment to transparency is commendable. Updates are regularly shared with school leaders and board minutes are available for anybody to access online. We receive regular updates on the progress of action plans and hold open discussions about challenges faced and steps taken to overcome them. We are now seeing data and insights from across the partnership that simply did not exist a year ago. This has improved trust and credibility and ensures everyone is on the same page.
While only a year old, all board members can see genuine and tangible progress through the priority action plans. We've already seen an initial improvement in timeliness of EHCP assessments and access to some services, that now have additional capacity. This means that some children and young people are beginning to receive the right help at the right time, but we know there is still much much more to do.
Communication and collaboration across sectors have improved and there is now a greater feeling of partnership. This is modelled by the most senior leaders at Nottinghamshire County Council and the ICB. Partnership events with professionals and roadshows for parents/carers have helped inform leaders’ plans, ground the board and measure impact.
Looking ahead with hope
The journey towards a robust SEND support system is ongoing. However, the collaborative spirit, pace and dedication of all partners give me immense hope for the future. We're laying the groundwork for a system that empowers all children and young people with SEND to thrive, not just survive, in Nottinghamshire. And it’s never too late to contribute, you can visit the ‘get involved’ web page for more information.
