SEND improvements hailed at Sefton Council but ECHP waits still too long
Inspectors found improvements compared to the previous disappointing visit
Hello and welcome to the midweek edition of The Southport Lead.
In 2019, an inspection of Sefton’s Local Area Partnership SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) found that sufficient improvements hadn’t been made following the even worse findings three years earlier.
Inspectors have now published their latest findings on what is a crucial service from a very young age right through to their preparation for adulthood. It is entirely separate to Children’s Social Services which has also seen a much-needed improvement, albeit at a financial cost which appears unsustainable.
Southport briefing
💗 Teachers across the town have received advice from survivors of the Manchester Arena bombing to help them support pupils traumatised by the Southport Attack. The Bee the Difference project, which is run by Dr Cath Hill of Lancaster University with the National Emergencies Trust charity, brought teachers together to give suggestions and allow them to support each other. More than 1,000 survivors of the 2017 bomb were injured and more than 200 young people shared their experiences with the project to help support others. Speaking to the BBC, Dr Hill said: “One of the things the incredible teachers - one in particular - in Southport has put in place is those young people can now be tracked if they want to through their school career [so] they don’t have to keep retelling their story, which has the potential to retraumatise them.” She added that bringing teachers in Southport together had helped in itself, explaining that “although Southport compared to Manchester is a much smaller geographical area, they weren’t helping and supporting each other as much as you think might happen.” Read more here.
🛩️ The Red Arrows will return for both days of this year’s Southport Air Show. The much loved event returns on August 29 and 30 and the Royal Air Force has confirmed that star attraction will once again perform. While the full programme is yet to be announced, others already confirmed for both days include the Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight - featuring the Spitfire, Hurricane and Dakota - as well as the RAF Tutor. Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Skills and Employment, said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome the Red Arrows back to Southport Air Show in 2026. It’s no secret that they are one of the most iconic display teams in the world and their performances always create a truly special atmosphere along our coastline. We have been working hard in the background for many months to get the Red Arrows and other stunning RAF aircraft to appear. Southport Air Show is a major highlight in Sefton’s events calendar, bringing families, aviation enthusiasts and visitors together for a brilliant weekend by the sea. As well as the spectacular displays in the skies, there will be plenty happening on the ground too, making it a fantastic day out for people of all ages. Events like this play a really important role in attracting visitors, supporting local businesses and showcasing everything Southport has to offer.”
🚧 Work to construct an entrance ramp and access road for the Marine Lake Events Centre (MLEC) finally begins this week. Work is expected to last for around four months and is essential preparation before the construction of the actual building can begin. Once complete, MLEC will be the modern replacement for Southport Theatre and Convention Centre and is designed to be a major source of visitors to the town. Its construction has twice been delayed by the departure of lead contractors but the Sefton Council has always insisted that the project will continue. Of the latest works, a council spokesperson said: “During this period if you’re in the area you may notice an increase in construction traffic, including HGV movements along the Promenade and Lower Promenade, as well as some unavoidable noisy and dusty activity. Teams on site will do their best to minimise disruption wherever possible.”
SEND improvements hailed at Sefton Council but ECHP waits still too long
By Emma Morgan
Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) have inconsistent experiences and outcomes across the borough of Sefton although many secure “strong outcomes,” a new inspection of the council’s provision has found.
The results marked an improvement on the last inspection in 2019, which stated that area leaders had not made sufficient progress to improve the “serious weaknesses” noted previously in 2016.
Sefton Council welcomed the report, which stated that leaders across the borough are “ambitious” for children and their focus on early identification and support improves outcomes, while their “commitment to hearing the voices” of young people helps shape both personalised provision and improvements across the borough as a whole.
The overall quality of education, health and care plans (ECHPs) is variable – although improving – and some lack specificity, and waiting times for neurodevelopmental, emotional wellbeing and mental health services remain too long for some, which increases the risk of unmet needs and pressure on specialist services.
Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) stated that Sefton Council and partners must work jointly to make improvements.
The inspection found that children with SEND are valued in the borough and professionals have “clear ambition to secure the best possible outcomes” for them. “Nevertheless, the local area partnership has not realised this ambition consistently in all areas of its work,” and some young people have “varied levels of support,” the report added.
