New Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee to help shape the SEND service
Thursday, 18 January 2024
Later this month, we are introducing a new Overview and Scrutiny SEND sub-committee to focus more time on SEND (Special Education Needs and Disability) issues.
This will provide more transparency, and ensure the voices of local families help shape future improvements to the service.
Overview and scrutiny committees are an important part of the democratic process, ensuring that elected Councillors, who are not part of Central Bedfordshire Executive Membership can hold these key decision-makers to account for the actions that affect their communities.
Until now, SEND issues had been considered as part of the wider remit of Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee, but following feedback from SNAP Parent Carer Forum we have recognised the need for a separate SEND sub-committee to specifically review and scrutinise decisions made, or actions taken, in connection with the delivery of services for children and young people with Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND) in Central Bedfordshire.
The committee will consist of up to seven councillors, with the first committee meeting being scheduled for 24 January 2024 at 9am. This and all subsequent meetings of the SEND sub-committee can be watched live online or you can attending person. You can also subscribe to be notified by email about upcoming webcasts that matter to you, or request to speak on any issue.
The first meeting will be to outline the:
- governance structure
- frequency of future meetings
- SEND priorities
- Accelerated Progress Plan
The sub-committee will be able to make recommendations to the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee to put forward to elected councillors on the Executive Committee, which is our main decision-making group.
We would like to thank SNAP PCF for continuing to work closely with us as we strive to improve the SEND offer within Central Bedfordshire. SNAP PCF will attend the sub-committee meetings.
Who are SNAP Parent Carer Forum?
SNAP (Special Needs Action Panel) is a pro-active, independent forum of parent carers who all have children or young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). As members of the National Network of Parent Carer Forum, SNAP PCF supports the development of parent carer participation and champions co-production, a process in which parents work together with professionals as equal partners to raise the standard of Social Care, Education and Health Services within Central Bedfordshire for young people, aged between 0 and 25 years. To become a member of SNAP PCF you must be a parent of a child or young person with SEND, aged 0-25 and live in Central Bedfordshire. If that’s you, you can join SNAP PCF today, by filling out this form: SNAP Membership Form. It is free to join, members will be given a free Max Card and invited to attend training and information sessions.