Ofsted review of SEN

Ofsted are undertaking a review of SEN nationally and are starting the process off with a series of focus groups. They would like to involve parents in this process and have circulated invitations to parents to participate in the focus groups, along with the questions to which they are seeking answers.

"The review has been commissioned by the Secretary of State. It will evaluate how well legislation and central government policy, children’s services and education institutions are serving children, young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. 

We want to find out about your experiences and views and hope you will be able to make a significant contribution to this review."

The invitation is dated 21st April 2009, was posted on Sheffield Parent Voice, a social network for parents of children with disabilities and special needs, on 21st April 2009 and requires a response from parents who wish to attend "at the latest" by 27th April 2009. Having woken up and finding myself unable to get back to sleep, I opened and read the invitation 40 minutes ago, at about 1.45pm on Tuesday 28th April 2009. I will be unable to "make a significant contribution to this review" though the focus groups, as Ofsted and I clearly live on different planets when it comes to the life I actually lead as a parent of a child with a disability, and the speed at which it is possible for me to pick up on and respond to the needs of their officers to get results.

Had I been able to attend, here below are the questions I would have been invited to consider. 

How do you feel about the use of written English?

How do you feel about the questions?

Focus Groups to inform the SEN and Disability Review 2009-10

Outcomes

• What do you want your child to be able to have and do now, in a few years, and in the future when they leave school?
• What do you know about the opportunities on offer for your child in the future?
• What skills will your child need to benefit from these opportunities?

Legislation and policy – alignment

• Was it easy for you to understand how the system works to make sure your child makes the most progress possible?
• Are there any particular issues you anticipate or have experienced when your child has or is due to change school/college or move on from school or college to adult services?
• In your area do local services (social care, education and health) work well together? If they do what do you think helps this, if they do not what do you think are the barriers?

Strengths and barriers of current organisation: nationally and regionally to improve outcomes

• What do you want children’s services to do to improve opportunities and chances for your child?
• What has worked well for you and your child over last 5 years?
• What helps to improve outcomes for children and young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities
• How do you think you and your child should be involved in developing future provision and decision making?  

  Do you have any confidence that the Ofsted civil servant who drafted these questions has any understanding of the often brutal reality of being a parent of a disabled child? (See for instance Lightnur's blog posting "I hate it too".)  Different planets.

Or consider these two postings from Julie Evett, an exceptional campaigning Mum, on Facebook:

Julie Evett ahhhhhhhh just taken Rose to hospital as she was holding breath, going blue and screaming, jesus I can't stomach much more. had row with parking man despite having blue badge and emergency, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh (Sat 16.39)

Julie Evett has put her foot down and refusing to take Rose home until Great Ormand Street admit her and give her the right tests/treatment she needs and deserves. All these people are guessing and repeating themselves and to be honest boring me shitless now, Mummy Evett has got a grip. Be warned. (Sun 12.03)

Can Ofsted civil servants cope with this level of honesty and reality?

PS Julie has an occasional blog of her experiences. It's tough stuff. She got herself into the national media last year and has just finished filming a documentary for broadcast on BBC in the autumn. The subject, in Ofsted-speak is "how well legislation and central government policy, children’s services and education institutions are serving children, young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities".

Ofsted could do a lot worse than scrap the focus groups and just listen to Julie.