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SEND Families: Progress on Paper, Struggle in Reality
20 Nov, 2025
Summary
- Inspectors cite 'effective action' in Oxfordshire SEND services.
- Families report that children's experiences are not improving.
- Campaign group says parents still face daily struggles.
Recent inspections in Oxfordshire's SEND services indicate "effective action" has been taken by the county council, addressing five key areas identified in a previous critical report. Inspectors from Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission concluded that "reasonable steps" have been implemented to improve services for children with special educational needs and disabilities.
Despite these findings, parent-led groups express skepticism, stating that families are not experiencing tangible improvements and that children's daily lives remain challenging. They report that for many, the situation is deteriorating, contradicting the official assessment of progress.
The local area partnership has been tasked with updating its action plan. While the council emphasizes "real progress" and praises the dedication of its teams, it acknowledges the need for continued listening and involvement with families to ensure ongoing improvements.
