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Support for children aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

SEND survey 2021

We want to say thank you to the 193 parents and carers and 37 children and young people who completed our Special Educational Needs and DisabilitiesDisabilitiesA physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on an individual’s ability to do normal daily activities. (SEND) survey that ran from 22 June to 23 July 2021.

Our survey was co-produced by partners including Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council, Parent Carers Together (PCT), Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and SENDiass4BCP to help us to understand your experiences of SEND services across health, education and social care and how we can continue to improve!

The survey coincided with the Joint Local Area SEND Inspection by OfstedOfstedOfsted is the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. It inspects services providing education and skills for learners of all ages. It also inspects and regulates services that care for children and young people. and the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The subsequent Written Statement of Action has identified several priority areas which align with many of the themes that you have also told us about through your survey responses.

Click here to find out more about the areas of concern that are now being addressed and the positive fast paced work that is currently ongoing in your local area.

We have shared a breakdown of the results from the survey below. Some of the identified survey themes include the need for:

  • clear and consistent signposting and planning for Preparation for Adulthood (PfA)
  • listening and inclusion of parents/carers/children and young people to empower them in the decision and planning process across all services
  • improved joint planning for SENSENSpecial Educational Needs is a term which refers to children who have learning difficulties or disabilities that make it harder for them to learn than most children of the same age. support and Education, Health & Care Plans (EHCPs) and Annual Reviews with all relevant services
  • clear and consistent information and support for Speech and Language Therapy (SALT), Mental health and Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)
  • clear signposting and access to Early Help, Children and Adult Social Care
  • capturing young people’s thoughts and wishes

View parent/carer responses to the SEND survey in table format.

View child and young person responses to the SEND survey in table format.

If you would prefer to read the responses in written format, you can do so in the sections below.

We are committed to improving services and support for children and young people in Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole. The SEND Local OfferLocal OfferA local authority website resource that holds information on services and provision for children and young people with SENSENSpecial Educational Needs is a term which refers to children who have learning difficulties or disabilities that make it harder for them to learn than most children of the same age. and disabilities across education, health and social care and leisure. is being revitalised and updated and includes a ‘you said, we did’ section which we will update with our progress as we work together to improve services for children and young people.

Please click here to go to the home page of the SEND Local Offer.

We continue to welcome views and feedback to ensure that we are offering the right services and support for families in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole!

Parent/carer survey responses in written format

Question 1: I feel I am listened to, and I can take part in decisions made for my child/young person in Education.

  • 34 parent/carers strongly agreed (18%)
  • 65 parent/carers agreed (35%)
  • 20 parent/carers neither agreed nor disagreed (11%)
  • 33 parent/carers disagreed (18%)
  • 36 parent/carers strongly disagreed (19%)

Question 2: I feel I am listened to and I can take part in decisions made for my child/young person in Health.

  • 33 parent/carers strongly agreed (18%)
  • 70 parent/carers agreed (38%)
  • 32 parent/carers neither agreed nor disagreed (18%)
  • 22 parent/carers disagreed (12%)
  • 24 parent/carers strongly disagreed (13%)
  • 2 parent/carers answered `don’t know’ (1%)

Question 3: I feel I am listened to and I can take part in decisions made for my child/young person in Social Care.

  • 23 parent/carers strongly agreed (13%)
  • 39 parent/carers agreed (22%)
  • 40 parent/carers neither agreed nor disagreed (23%)
  • 18 parent/carers disagreed (10%)
  • 24 parent/carers strongly disagreed (14%)
  • 33 parent/carers answered `don’t know’ (19%)

Question 4: I am happy with my child/young person's educational setting.

  • 65 parent/carers strongly agreed (34%)
  • 59 parent/carers agreed (31%)
  • 19 parent/carers neither agreed nor disagreed (10%)
  • 20 parent/carers disagreed (11%)
  • 27 parent/carers strongly disagreed (14%)
  • 1 parent/carer answered `don’t know’ (1%)

Question 5: I know where to go and who to ask if I need help and support at my child/young person’s education setting.

  • 67 parent/carers strongly agreed (35%)
  • 70 parent/carers agreed (37%)
  • 17 parent/carers neither agreed nor disagreed (9%)
  • 16 parent/carers disagreed (8%)
  • 19 parent/carers strongly disagreed (10%)
  • 2 parent/carers answered `don’t know’ (1%)

Question 6: My views have been included in my child/young person’s support plan.

  • 43 parent/carers strongly agreed (23%)
  • 60 parent/carers agreed (32%)
  • 28 parent/carers neither agreed nor disagreed (15%)
  • 29 parent/carers disagreed (15%)
  • 25 parent/carers strongly disagreed (13%)
  • 4 parent/carers answered `don’t know’ (2%)

Question 7: My child/young person’s interests are at the centre of the help and support that they receive.

  • 39 parent/carers strongly agreed (21%)
  • 56 parent/carers agreed (30%)
  • 31 parent/carers neither agreed nor disagreed (16%)
  • 28 parent/carers disagreed (15%)
  • 31 parent/carers strongly disagreed (16%)
  • 4 parent/carers answered `don’t know’ (2%)

Question 8: My child/young person has been able to get all the help and support they need.

  • 35 parent/carers strongly agreed (19%)
  • 40 parent/carers agreed (21%)
  • 22 parent/carers neither agreed nor disagreed (12%)
  • 36 parent/carers disagreed (19%)
  • 51 parent/carers strongly disagreed (27%)
  • 4 parent/carers answered `don’t know’(2%)

Question 9: I know where to go and who to ask for help and support regarding my child/young person’s mental health.

  • 38 parent/carers strongly agreed (20%)
  • 68 parent/carers agreed (36%)
  • 24 parent/carers neither agreed nor disagreed (13%)
  • 28 parent/carers disagreed (15%)
  • 26 parent/carers strongly disagreed (14%)
  • 4 parent/carers answered `don’t know’ (2%)

Question 10: I am happy with how well Social Care or Early Help Services have supported me and my child /young person.

  • 21 parent/carers strongly agreed (11%)
  • 36 parent/carers agreed (19%)
  • 42 parent/carers neither agreed nor disagreed (23%)
  • 30 parent/carers disagreed (16%)
  • 34 parent/carers strongly disagreed (18%)
  • 23 parent/carers answered `don’t know’ (12%)

Question 11: I am happy with how well Health professionals have supported me and my child/young person.

  • 29 parent/carers strongly agreed (15%)
  • 62 parent/carers agreed (33%)
  • 31 parent/carers neither agreed nor disagreed (16%)
  • 30 parent/carers disagreed (16%)
  • 29 parent/carers strongly disagreed (15%)
  • 8 parent/carers answered `don’t know’ (4%)

Question 12: I am happy with how well Education professionals have supported me and my child/young person.

  • 49 parent/carers strongly agreed (26%)
  • 56 parent/carers agreed (30%)
  • 19 parent/carers neither agreed nor disagreed (10%)
  • 31 parent/carers disagreed (16%)
  • 31 parent/carers strongly disagreed (16%)
  • 4 parent/carers answered `don’t know’ (2%)

Question 13: I am happy with how people work together to meet my child/young person’s needs.

  • 27 parent/carers strongly agreed (14%)
  • 40 parent/carers agreed (21%)
  • 31 parent/carers neither agreed nor disagreed (16%)
  • 38 parent/carers disagreed (20%)
  • 47 parent/carers strongly disagreed (25%)
  • 6 parent/carers answered `don’t know’ (3%)

Question 14: I am happy with the level communication I receive from people supporting me.

  • 30 parent/carers strongly agreed (16%)
  • 45 parent/carers agreed (24%)
  • 28 parent/carers neither agreed nor disagreed (15%)
  • 37 parent/carers disagreed (20%)
  • 49 parent/carers strongly disagreed (26%)
  • 1 parent/carer answered `don’t know’ (1%)

Question 15: I am happy with the range of activities and hobbies available outside of school/college that my child/young person can access.

  • 21 parent/carers strongly agreed (11%)
  • 43 parent/carers agreed (23%)
  • 35 parent/carers neither agreed nor disagreed (18%)
  • 32 parent/carers disagreed (17%)
  • 48 parent/carers strongly disagreed (25%)
  • 11 parent/carers answered `don’t know’ (6%)

Question 16: My child/young person feels safe and secure when they are out in the community.

  • 17 parent/carers strongly agreed (9%)
  • 64 parent/carers agreed (34%)
  • 36 parent/carers neither agreed nor disagreed (19%)
  • 39 parent/carers disagreed (21%)
  • 22 parent/carers strongly disagreed (12%)
  • 10 parent/carers answered `don’t know’ (5%)

Questions about Preparing for Adulthood (PfA):

Question 17: I feel confident and supported in planning for my child/young person’s future.

  • 14 parent/carers strongly agreed (8%)
  • 51 parent/carers agreed (27%)
  • 33 parent/carers neither agreed nor disagreed (18%)
  • 41 parent/carers disagreed (22%)
  • 45 parent/carers strongly disagreed (24%)
  • 2 parent/carers answered `don’t know’ (1%)

Question 18: I know where to get the information to help my child/young person to prepare for Education, Training & Employment.

  • 19 parent/carers strongly agreed (10%)
  • 59 parent/carers agreed (31%)
  • 27 parent/carers neither agreed nor disagreed (14%)
  • 47 parent/carers disagreed (25%)
  • 33 parent/carers strongly disagreed (17%)
  • 5 parent/carers answered `don’t know’ (3%)

Question 19: I know where to get the information to help my child/young person to prepare for friendships, relationships, and community.

  • 13 parent/carers strongly agreed (7%)
  • 50 parent/carers agreed (26%)
  • 29 parent/carers neither agreed nor disagreed (15%)
  • 56 parent/carers disagreed (30%)
  • 38 parent/carers strongly disagreed (20%)
  • 4 parent/carers answered `don’t know’ (2%)

Question 20: I know where to get the information to help my child/young person to prepare for skills for independent living.

  • 14 parent/carers strongly agreed (7%)
  • 37 parent/carers agreed (20%)
  • 38 parent/carers neither agreed nor disagreed (28%)
  • 54 parent/carers disagreed (28%)
  • 36 parent/carers strongly disagreed (19%)
  • 11 parent/carers answered `don’t know’ (6%)

Question 21: I know where to get the information to help my child/young person to prepare for maintaining good health.

  • 21 parent/carers strongly agreed (11%)
  • 72 parent/carers agreed (38%)
  • 27 parent/carers neither agreed nor disagreed (14%)
  • 38 parent/carers disagreed (20%)
  • 25 parent/carers strongly disagreed (13%)
  • 8 parent/carers answered `don’t know’ (4%)
Child and young person survey responses in written format

Question 1: I am happy with my Early Years/School/ College/Setting

  • 12 children and young people strongly agreed (33%)
  • 11 children and young people agreed (31%)
  • 6 children and young people neither agreed nor disagreed (17%)
  • 2 children and young people disagreed (6%)
  • 4 children and young people strongly disagreed (11%)
  • 1 child or young people answered `don’t know’ (3%)

Question 2: My views are valued, and I am listened to

  • 13 children and young people strongly agreed (36%)
  • 13 children and young people agreed (36%)
  • 6 children and young people neither agreed nor disagreed (17%)
  • 2 children and young people disagreed (6%)
  • 2 children and young people strongly disagreed (6%)

Question 3: I know where to go if I need help and support at my education setting

  • 18 children and young people strongly agreed (51%)
  • 10 children and young people agreed (29%)
  • 4 children and young people neither agreed nor disagreed (11%)
  • 1 child or young person disagreed (3%)
  • 2 children and young people answered `don’t know’ (6%)

Question 4: I feel included in the decisions made about my support

  • 13 children and young people strongly agreed (39%)
  • 6 children and young people agreed (18%)
  • 5 children and young people neither agreed nor disagreed (15%)
  • 4 children and young people disagreed (12%)
  • 3 children and young people strongly disagreed (9%)
  • 2 children and young people answered `don’t know’ (6%)

Question 5: I am happy that people working with me help and support my interests and the things I like to do

  • 17 children and young people strongly agreed (49%)
  • 12 children and young people agreed (34%)
  • 4 children and young people neither agreed nor disagreed (11%)
  • 2 children and young people strongly disagreed (6%)

Question 6: I am happy that the people who support me, work well together.

  • 19 children and young people strongly agreed (56%)
  • 6 children and young people agreed (18%)
  • 4 children and young people neither agreed nor disagreed (12%)
  • 2 children and young people disagreed (6%)
  • 2 children and young people strongly disagreed (6%)
  • 1 child or young person answered `don’t know’ (3%)

Question 7: I take part in activities and hobbies outside of school /college

  • 16 children and young people strongly agreed (44%)
  • 12 children and young people agreed (33%)
  • 3 children and young people neither agreed nor disagreed (8%)
  • 1 child or young person disagreed (3%)
  • 1 child or young person strongly disagreed (3%)
  • 3 children and young people answered `don’t know’ (8%)

Question 8: I am able to fully take part in activities with my friends if I want to

  • 16 children and young people strongly agreed (47%)
  • 11 children and young people agreed (32%)
  • 2 children and young people neither agreed nor disagreed (6%)
  • 1 child or young person disagreed (3%)
  • 1 child or young person strongly disagreed (3%)
  • 3 children and young people answered `don’t know’ (9%)

Question 9: I feel safe and secure in my community

  • 14 children and young people strongly agreed (39%)
  • 12 children and young people agreed (33%)
  • 6 children and young people neither agreed nor disagreed (17%)
  • 2 children and young people disagreed (6%)
  • 2 children and young people answered `don’t know’ (6%)

Question 10: I know where to go if I need help and support in the community

  • 10 children and young people strongly agreed (29%)
  • 15 children and young people agreed (43%)
  • 3 children and young people neither agreed nor disagreed (9%)
  • 1 child or young person disagreed (3%)
  • 1 child or young person strongly disagreed (3%)
  • 5 children and young people answered `don’t know’ (14%)

Question 11: I have never experienced bullying

  • 8 children and young people strongly agreed (24%)
  • 5 children and young people agreed (15%)
  • 3 children and young people neither agreed nor disagreed (9%)
  • 6 children and young people disagreed (18%)
  • 9 children and young people strongly disagreed (27%)
  • 3 children and young people answered `don’t know’ (9%)

Question 12: If you have experienced bullying, did you get help?

  • 15 children and young people said yes (71%)
  • 6 children and young people said no (29%)

Question 13: I know how to stay healthy

  • 13 children and young people strongly agreed (36%)
  • 18 children and young people agreed (50%)
  • 1 child or young person neither agreed nor disagreed (3%)
  • 1 child or young person disagreed (3%)
  • 1 child or young person strongly disagreed (3%)
  • 2 children and young people answered `don’t know’ (6%)

Question 14: I know who can help me manage my emotions and mental well being

  • 12 children and young people strongly agreed (35%)
  • 14 children and young people agreed (41%)
  • 2 children and young people neither agreed nor disagreed (6%)
  • 2 children and young people strongly disagreed (6%)
  • 4 children and young people answered `don’t know’ (12%)

Questions about Preparing for Adulthood (PfA):

Question 15: I know there will be training, volunteering or jobs that suit me

  • 19 children and young people strongly agreed (51%)
  • 8 children and young people agreed (22%)
  • 2 children and young people neither agreed nor disagreed (5%)
  • 2 children and young people disagreed (5%)
  • 6 children and young people answered `don’t know’ (16%)

Question 16: I know that I can be involved in deciding where I want to live and with who

  • 18 children and young people strongly agreed (49%)
  • 10 children and young people agreed (27%)
  • 3 children and young people neither agreed nor disagreed (8%)
  • 2 children and young people disagreed (5%)
  • 1 child or young person strongly disagreed (3%)
  • 3 children and young people answered `don’t know’ (8%)

Question 17: I know that I can join clubs or group activities in my community

  • 19 children and young people strongly agreed (53%)
  • 9 children and young people agreed (25%)
  • 2 children and young people neither agreed nor disagreed (6%)
  • 2 children and young people disagreed (6%)
  • 4 children and young people answered `don’t know’ (11%)

Question 18: I want to keep myself healthy (mentally and physically)

  • 16 children and young people strongly agreed (43%)
  • 15 children and young people agreed (41%)
  • 2 children and young people neither agreed nor disagreed (5%)
  • 1 children and young people disagreed (3%)
  • 3 children and young people answered `don’t know’ (8%)