The review by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission, which is now underway, will look at how partners in Wolverhampton are working together effectively to prepare children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) for adulthood.
It is the first thematic review in England to be carried out under a new framework launched earlier this month. It will focus on 4 key areas, employment, independent living, community inclusion and health, and the findings will help to promote improvement in SEND services locally and nationally.
As part of the review, Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission are inviting people to complete a short survey. There is one for parents and carers, as well as professionals who work with youngsters with SEND, available at, and one for children and young people with SEND aged 11 to 25, available at. The closing date for comments is Thursday 7 March, 2024.
Councillor Jacqui Coogan, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "This thematic review is an opportunity to show how the council and our partners, including health, nurseries, schools and further education, are working together to prepare children and young people with SEND for adulthood.
"As part of the review, inspectors want to hear first hand from people who either receive or help deliver SEND services in Wolverhampton, and I would urge parents, carers, children, young people and professionals to complete the survey and have their say.
“It should only take around 5 to 10 minutes to do, and it will really help to create an accurate picture of SEND provision in our city.”
The thematic review will:
- find out the extent to which partners across education, health and social care are working together effectively to prepare children and young people with SEND for adulthood
- seek to better understand what support partners are providing to children and young people with SEND and their families to achieve their full potential, for instance through post-16 education, training or employment
- look at how children and young people with SEND develop independence, are made to feel visible and valued in their community, and are supported to be as healthy as possible in adulthood
- identify factors that enable partners to work together effectively to support children and young people with SEND to transition successfully into adulthood, including transferring from children’s to adult services
- identify any factors that prevent partners from working together effectively
- and highlight good practice in preparing children and young people with SEND for adulthood.
The review is the first of a series taking place nationwide over the coming months and will provide insights for Ofsted, the Care Quality Commission, government, strategic leaders and frontline education, health and social care practitioners to promote improvement in the sector and update approaches to inspection, as appropriate.
For more information about thematic reviews, please visit Thematic reviews of preparation for adulthood arrangements in local areas.
