A report into services in Nottingham city for those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) has found the quality of what's provided is better for children and young people than adults.
According to the joint report, published by health and social care inspectors Care Quality Commission (CQC) and education regulators Ofsted, parents described transitioning through the services as like 'jumping off of a cliff'.
The inspection into services took place between November 8 and November 12 last year to find out how effective SEND services in the city are.
Inspectors spoke with children and young people with SEND, parents and carers, and Nottingham City Council and NHS officers.
The report said: "The health services available to adults with SEND are not equivalent in quality to those available to children and young people with SEND."
It concluded leaders have developed a coherent plan to support children and young people with SEND to prepare for adulthood, early years provision for children with SEND is strong and the outcome for children with SEND in early years has improved.
But it also found educational outcomes for children with SEND are still too low, adult services are not as strong as children services and there is some considerable dissatisfaction among parents with the quality of services.
The report found this is because leaders have not ensured all key information is widely sent out and fully available, and parents do not know where to find information and guidance to improve outcomes for their children.
It found the neurodevelopmental pathway is not communicated well enough to parents, meaning some parents have unrealistic expectations of the level of support they will receive.
Cllr Cheryl Barnard, Nottingham City Council's portfolio holder for children and young people, said: "Ensuring children with special needs and disabilities have the opportunity to thrive and reach their potential is incredibly important and so I am very pleased with the outcome of this inspection.
"It recognises that local leadership have a clear and accurate understanding of services for children with SEND and reflects a strongly inclusive approach across partners.
"Inspectors also identify some very good partnership working with schools and early years, improving outcomes and opportunities for young people and some innovative approaches through our Routes to Inclusion work and to address mental health and wellbeing.
"We will take on board the areas for development and work with our partners to further strengthen the support that’s in place for children and young people with SEND and their families and carers."
Other main findings of the report are that leaders were quick to respond to SEND reforms, leaders understand the shortcomings of the services and the online local offer for children with SEND is not well publicised.
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