AN ACTION plan to turn around shortcomings in care for youngsters with special needs has been rolled out after a critical inspection.

A “written statement of action” has been agreed by Stockton Council and its partners after joint probe by Ofsted and the CQC (Care Quality Commission) uncovered “significant concerns” in care and education for young people.

Leaders were disappointed with the findings – and the latest Stockton health and wellbeing board heard there was plenty going on to address the problems.

Inspectors spoke to parents, young people with SEND (special educational needs and disabilities), NHS workers and council staff in February.  The joint watchdog found strengths in schools, praise for mental health “crisis teams” and improving academic performances for SEND children.

But the final report ruled Stockton fell short in its communication with parents, the quality of EHC plans (education, health and care), and the way it measured how youngsters were performing.

The action report had 51 aims to turn these problems around – including understanding young people’ perspectives and using a “shared language” so parents, carers and youngsters feel they’re being listened to properly.

Martin Gray, the council’s director of children’s services, told the panel access to mental health support and services was being “fundamentally reappraised” in Stockton.

A concern raised in the probe was the inconsistency of EHC plans – the legal documents drawn up which describe what a young person’s needs are and the extra help and support they require.

Improving document formats, including parents in annual reviews and introducing more training for staff were part of the plan to turn this around.

The final point inspectors wanted sorting was how outcomes of EHC plans were measured – with the watchdog labelling this “not effective”.

Mr Gray agreed this was a fair criticism.

He added: “We’ve been largely focused on educational outcomes and performance of children and young people – and less so on preparation to live independently.” Public bodies working together more closely was the main aim drawn up to address this problem.  The action statement was sent to Ofsted and the CQC last month, and the watchdog will carry out a monitoring visit next week.