"Not thriving… just about coping"

Healthwatch Liverpool carried out a major review of services for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), gathering evidence from 208 participants including parents, carers, young people and professionals. The report found widespread frustration with delays in assessments, Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), diagnosis pathways and access to support. Many families felt they had to fight for appropriate services, described communication as poor, and reported that support often arrived too late to prevent difficulties escalating. A recurring theme was that families were “just about coping” rather than thriving. 

Parents and professionals raised concerns about the quality and consistency of EHCPs, lack of coordination between education, health and social care services, and insufficient support for children who did not meet the threshold for an EHCP. Many felt that schools, health services and social care did not work together effectively, while communication with families was often unclear or inconsistent. Mental health was a major concern, with parents reporting significant stress, anxiety and exhaustion linked both to caring responsibilities and to navigating the SEND system. Waiting times for autism, ADHD, CAMHS and other specialist services were also frequently criticised.

The report also highlighted inequalities in access to support. Families from Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and Refugee communities, and those whose first language was not English, reported additional barriers in understanding processes, obtaining information and influencing decisions. Children and young people themselves often felt excluded from decisions about their support, with many wanting clearer explanations of their EHCPs, greater involvement in planning and more support around employment, independence, social skills and transition to adulthood. 

Healthwatch concluded that while Liverpool’s SEND Partnership had begun making improvements following an Ofsted and CQC inspection, significant challenges remained. Key recommendations included improving communication and co-production with families, reducing delays, strengthening early intervention, increasing SEND staffing and specialist services, expanding mental health support, improving the Local Offer and information available to families, increasing support for underrepresented communities, and ensuring smoother transitions into adulthood and adult services.