Following work with school partnerships in Oxfordshire, a key message from school leaders is the difficulty they face in relation to capacity to support children with complex SEND, including the recruitment, and, in some cases, the retention of support staff. An NEU (2019) survey highlighted that this is a national issue. The Oxfordshire SEND team has commissioned a project that seeks to understand these issues in Oxfordshire schools in more detail, so that:
- Children’s outcomes will improve because schools are able to recruit a workforce who are motivated to support children and young people.
- Children’s outcomes will improve because the workforce is confident in their skills and knowledge.
This is part of the work being undertaken to support to the commitment arising from Oxfordshire’s self-evaluation summary (June 2022) around workforce development and early intervention. Two surveys have been created: one for school leaders and one for existing Support Staff. Following the gathering of data from these surveys, a working group comprising school leaders, support staff and SENCos will focus on developing proposals that can be implemented by schools and the LA.
The link for the SENCo/School Leaders’ survey is here.
The link for the support staff is here.
For more information and/or to join the Working Group please contact annemarie.baverstock@oxfordshire.gov.uk
