PACCs response to the SEND strategy and outcomes framework consultation

02/12/2024

On Monday 25th November we hosted a session for families to come and learn more about the latest consultation from Shropshire Council that will impact the lives of the SEND community. Following on from feedback from families we have completed our response and have written it up with our thoughts behind our answers. You can read our response here.

We hope this helps families to respond for themselves and helps to inform their thoughts about what responses would be helpful to give. Please find the consultation here - Please note the consultation closes on Friday 6th December.

We have shared feedback from families in our representations prior to the release of the consultation, which are best reflected in our recent reports. Our most recent report "Shropshire Self Evaluation Framework: A Parent Carer Perspective, the Other Half of the Story" documents the most current and relevant feedback we have used to inform what we have been saying to the SEND system partners about these key documents.

In the information session families made it clear that many of the deliverables in the strategy appeared to be unrealistic, unmeasurable, or unlikely to make a difference to their lives. The limited holistic outcomes and impacts was also noted, with Parent Carers sharing their concerns about the lack of focus on quality of life indicators and wider community impact. Parent Carers re-iterated the value of feeling heard and responded to by the system, which they did not feel this document did to the extent that they would have liked. Parent Carers also commented on the need for the system to deliver against its statutory duties with more meaningful impact and as a standard practice first before working towards aspirations that may be a great long term outcome but would likely not improve their day to day lives at the moment.

Parent Carers were considerably frustrated by the Outcomes Framework and its lack of health and social care impacts, its focus on immeasurable actions rather than outcomes, and its poorly worded aspirations for Parent Carers to deliver the outcomes while neglecting the needs of Parent Carers entirely. It was reflected back to PACC representatives that this feels like a long running discussion and that families aspirations, wants, and needs are often overlooked with a focus given to the needs of the system and the process feeling like a tick box exercise. Parent Carers expressed concern for families that may see these outcomes as an expectation for them to deliver, where they were worded as statements rather than outcomes, and the risk this would pose to the mental health and wellbeing, as well as the expectations, of families on the whole. 

PACC have repeatedly presented feedback and evidence from families across the Shropshire SEND community to inform and influence the ongoing discussions that have been had around these subjects. We have repeatedly informed the system of gaps families are identifying in the care and support available to them and the challenges they face. We have repeatedly shared concerns about the way this document has been developed and the way it has been designed and presented.

We are extremely concerned the Outcomes Framework has included expectations for Parent Carers to deliver against that may create a feeling of shame and blame if these cannot be achieved. We have also highlighted the lack of accountability described and visible throughout the system to ensure that practitioners and services are able to deliver against these also as a weakness. While we appreciate and understand that this is part of a process, where action planning and measures will be identified following the final versions of a Strategy and Outcomes Framework being drafted, we remain concerned that families are being asked to respond to outcomes that do not reflect what they have asked for and are not supported by measures or accountability statements that would provide a confidence these outcomes are achievable. If the Outcomes Framework had been coproduced effectively throughout its design and development, these concerns could have been addressed and consideration given to ensure Parent Carers voices were meaningfully represented. 

PACC are clear that we expect the next phase of this process to be fully and comprehensively coproduced with opportunities made available to families to comment on and inform the development at key points before a finalised version is published.

If you have any questions, feedback, or comments you would like to share with us, please email us directly via info@paccshropshire.org.uk