Children needing specialist help with their education also have problems with primary care, including GP and dental services.
A recent inspection report into the Lincolnshire County Council and Integrated Care Board’s provision, has highlighted a range of problems young people and their families face.
The authorities are jointly responsible for both planning and commissioning services for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
While they are ‘valued and well represented in their communities’, they do feel listened to, claims the report, the overall quality of education, health and care (EHC) plans is inconsistent.
“Children, young people and their families do not consistently understand what services are available to support them. They are not well informed about the partnership’s provision to support children and young people with SEND across education, health and social care services,” the inspection found.
It also said that accessing primary care services, such as GPs and dentists, was difficult and some of their health needs are not being met at the right time.
“In addition, the online triage system for accessing general practice healthcare is barrier to some children and young people.”
Swift specialist support is available for health needs, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy and mental health support, the report says.
“In contrast, children and young people with SEND wait too long for neurodevelopmental assessments and related therapies.
“The partnership has plans for service transformation to reduce waiting times,” the report adds.
Some children with SEND are not identified and supported early enough. They also receive more suspensions and permanent exclusions compared to the national average.
The report also highlighted the clear governance structure, the fact the partnership provides effective strategic oversight and is ambitious for young people with SEND.
“We were pleased that inspectors noted our partnership has a shared determination to improve the education, health and social care services that support children and young people with SEND across Lincolnshire,” said Martin Fahy, chief nurse at the ICB.
While waiting times for speech and language therapy and autism diagnosis is ‘longer than ideal’, it reflects national trends within the sector and work to address the situation was already underway before the report’s publication.
Mr Fahy added that the organisation was committed to being in a better position.
