Live Consultations

Ofsted and the CQC are carrying out a joint area inspection of services in Leeds for children and young people aged 0 to 25 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). 

This inspection will look at a range of services across education, health, and social care.

Inspectors want to find out what Leeds children and young people with SEND, and their parents or carers, think about local services. 

Inspectors also want to hear from people who work with children and young people with SEND (‘practitioners’).

They are inviting these people to take part in surveys to share their views. People don’t have to put their names on the surveys, and only inspectors will see the surveys. 

You can find the surveys (including ‘easy read’ versions’) here: https://ofsted.smartsurvey.co.uk/p/AreaSend/10420261

We can also provide a paper copy of these surveys, if you need it. To ask for a paper copy, please email us at SENDbestpractice@leeds.gov.uk  or call 0113 37 83691 and tell the Council Officer who answers the phone about this, giving them our email address. They will make sure to pass on your details to us.

All surveys will close at 09.00, 21/04/2026. 

If you have any questions about this, please contact our team supporting the inspection at SENDbestpractice@leeds.gov.uk

You can also find more information about these inspections on the gov.uk site here (easy-read information) and here (more detailed information).

Peter Thorpe, Interim Director of Children’s Services, Leeds City Council and Penny McSorley, Deputy Director of Nursing and Quality for the NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board would like to thank everyone who completes the survey. Thank you for supporting this vital part of the inspection process.  

Are you a parent, carer or family member of a SEND child aged (0-25) living in Leeds?

Come and join us as we explore how 'play' can be used at Abbey House Museum to improve the current visitor experience. 

Chat with us about our early design ideas, input your own personal experiences, and discuss how we can develop inclusive activities for all the family.

FREE drink included for all participants.

Please email sarah@thecreativecore.co.uk if you would like to be involved. 

The government has published a new white paper outlining its vision for improving education and support for all children and young people, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

 ‘Every Child Achieving and Thriving’ sets out plans to:
• broaden children’s school experiences
• make sure every child feels included
• strengthen connections between schools, children, and their communities

Alongside this, the ‘6,500 Additional Teachers Delivery Plan’ shares how the government intends to recruit 6,500 more teachers to support these ambitions.

Information can be found here: Every child achieving and thriving - GOV.UK

The SEND Reform: Putting Children and Young People First consultation is also now open, giving families, professionals, and anyone with an interest the chance to share their views on the proposed changes

Complete the consultation here: SEND reform: putting children and young people first - GOV.UK

The Council welcomes the announcements around SEND reforms made by the Government today and will be studying the detail to see how, at a system level, we can deliver improvements to current arrangements for supporting children with additional needs. We look forward to working closely with the Government to turn these commitments into real change for families in Leeds.

The Department for Education has opened a consultation on proposed updates to the statutory guidance on supporting pupils with medical conditions at school. 

The consultation seeks views on proposals to strengthen the way children and young people with medical conditions and allergies are supported and kept safe. 

This consultation will end on 1 May 2026.

We are looking at ways that the booking of NHS appointments for children and young people at Leeds Community Healthcare could be made more straight forward, more personalised, and more useful for everyone involved.

Share your feedback and views using the below survey:  

https://forms.office.com/e/x1xRpTLtmW

The closing date will be the 16th of July, following the survey colleagues will be looking at the results and agreeing next steps.

Find out about more opportunities to have your say and influence the services provided by Leeds City Council including giving compliments, complaints and feedback, comment on applications, take part in public health consultations, parks and countryside consultations, learn about volunteering opportunities and community committees.

Consultations and feedback | Leeds.gov.uk