19/06/2026
π‘ A new inspection report has just been published, reviewing the performance of St Helens Borough Council SEND Children's Services.
It was authored in response to an inspection by OFSTED and the Care Quality Commission in Jan/Feb 2026.
Itβs important to be clear about the context around this SEND inspection report, and we understand certain issues have since been resolved.
The inspection itself took place under the previous Labour administration, at a time when they had full control of the council and accountability for the service. However, the findings have only now been released - after the election.
We should also be clear: these issues did not appear overnight. They are the result of long-standing challenges that were not addressed at the time.
That said, our focus is not on deflecting responsibility.
We are serious about fixing this.
We are committed to:
- Understanding the full scale of the issues
- Working openly with families, schools and partners
- Putting in place a clear and accountable improvement plan
- Holding a SEND roundtable with key stakeholders
We will also be bringing forward a detailed improvement plan later this year, setting out exactly how we will address the issues identified and drive real change.
Residents deserve honesty, and more importantly, they deserve a service that works.
This administration is focused on delivery, improvement, and getting results for children and families.
-Your St Helens Borough Council Reform UK Administration π¬π§