SUPPORT for high-needs children in Oxfordshire has improved but two key concerns still remain, a new report has concluded.

Ofsted has reinspected the county's provision for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, two years after it highlighted failures.

The watchdog issued Oxfordshire County Council and Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group with a statement of action in November 2017, after finding 'significant weaknesses'.

Along with the Care Quality Commission, it jointly reinspected the county's provision in October and has now released its feedback.

The new report, published last week, said: "The area has made sufficient progress in addressing three of the five significant weaknesses identified at the initial inspection.

"It has not made sufficient progress in addressing two significant weaknesses."

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The quality of self-evaluation, and the quality of education health and care (EHC) plans, were the two areas that still need improvement.

EHCs are plans produced by the council to identify a child or young person's educational, health and social needs and the support needed to meet those needs.

Ofsted's report said: "The high volume of EHC plans being produced and frequent changes of staffing in the assessment team have contributed to a slow rate of improvement.

"Parents experience high levels of frustration with the EHC processes...they described continually having to ‘chase’ professionals to find out information about their child’s EHC plan."

Despite a rapid rise in demand for EHC plans, one area that the council improved 'sufficiently' was the time frame in which the plans are completed in.

Ofsted was also impressed with the council's work to reduce the high level of exclusions in secondary schools, concerning pupils with high needs.

The report said: "Firm leadership from Oxfordshire local authority is providing effective support and challenge to schools to reduce fixed-term exclusions.

"Leaders challenge schools when they notice that exclusion rates are particularly high and there is convincing evidence of significant improvements as result of this robust approach."

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It also said the authority had established a 'clear accountability and governance structure' for its special needs services.

Lucy Butler, the council's director of children's services, said: "We strive for excellence in our education of children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities.

"I am encouraged that Ofsted recognises this commitment and the progress made, but we know more must be done to show young people and their parents that we are determined to improve support for them.

"We are already looking at ways to involve parents, carers and children much more so we can work together to make sure that young people get the support they want and need to succeed.

"This is part of our determination to improve opportunities for all young people and make sure they have the best start in life."

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Sula Wiltshire, director of quality and nursing at Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: "We are encouraged by the improvements which have been made over the last two years.

"However, we continue to work with our partners to make the further improvements, which are needed to ensure our most vulnerable children and young people in Oxfordshire, and their parents and carers, have the joined-up services they need and deserve."