Hackney Council Vows SEND Fixes After Ofsted Inspection Hackney 2026

Key Points

• Hackney Council has pledged improvements in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision following a joint inspection by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in November 2025, which found “inconsistent experiences and outcomes” for children and young people.​
• The inspection report, published in January 2026, requires the council and its health and education partners to collaborate on enhancements.
• Councillor Anja Sizer, deputy cabinet member for families, early years and SEND, described the verdict as “as expected” and “fair in its assessment” during the Children and Young People Scrutiny Commission on March 16, 2026.​
• Urgent improvements needed in quality and timeliness of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), which are legally binding documents outlining support up to age 25.
• High EHCP cohort in Hackney: 3,839 children and young people, double the 2019 figure and above England averages, strained by financial constraints and demand.
• Concerns over school exclusion rates for SEND pupils, waiting times for neurodevelopmental assessments (e.g., autism up to 18-19 months, ADHD 9-15 months), and strategic use of performance data.
• Councillors raised issues on long waits for neurodevelopmental assessments and ADHD medication; Sizer reassured via the borough’s autism strategy, allowing access to help without formal diagnosis.​
• Inspectors praised progress: SEND children achieve well with higher-than-average attendance; strong leader knowledge of local needs; culturally sensitive, co-produced services; effective early years identification; seamless pathways for complex needs.
• Hackney SEND Parent Carer Forum is a “strategic and valued partner”; new strategies like SEND and Inclusion Strategy 2026-2029 approved December 2025, but too early for full impact.
• Recommendations: Extend dashboards to key indicators; build secondary school partnerships to reduce exclusions; improve alternative provision and post-16 offers to prevent NEET status.

Hackney (East London Times) March 24, 2026 – Hackney Council has committed to addressing inconsistencies in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support after regulators highlighted uneven experiences for children and young people. The pledge came amid scrutiny over Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), school exclusions, and assessment waits, with leaders vowing collaborative action. Councillor Anja Sizer affirmed the inspection’s fairness while outlining steps forward.

What Triggered the SEND Inspection in Hackney?

The joint inspection occurred in November 2025 by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission, part of Ofsted’s regular timetable under the updated Area SEND Inspection Framework from June 2025. It evaluated education, health, and care services for 0-25 year olds with EHCPs or SEN Support across the local area partnership. As detailed in Hackney Council’s official announcement, the report recognised improvements but stressed more work for consistency.

Inspectors noted Hackney’s leaders possess strong knowledge of the borough’s diverse needs, commissioning services co-produced with communities in culturally sensitive ways. Children and young people with SEND “achieve well and have higher school attendance than average,” per the Ofsted report referenced by the council. The Hackney SEND Parent Carer Forum plays a pivotal role as “a strategic and valued partner,” welcoming views from children themselves.

How Did Councillor Sizer Respond to the Findings?

As reported by East London Times coverage of the scrutiny meeting, Councillor Anja Sizer, deputy cabinet member for families, early years and SEND, told the March 16, 2026, Children and Young People Scrutiny Commission that the verdict was “as expected” and “fair in its assessment.” She addressed concerns about long waiting times for neurodevelopmental assessments and ADHD medication, with councillors seeking reassurance on support during waits.

Sizer stated the borough’s autism strategy enables families to access help “regardless of whether a formal diagnosis had been received.” This aligns with broader commitments to needs-based support, as outlined in City & Hackney Place Based Partnership documents. The council has invested in additional posts for EHCP timeliness and quality, yielding some positives despite barriers.

Why Are EHCPs a Priority for Urgent Improvement?

The inspection identified “urgent improvement” needed on EHCP quality and timeliness, these legally binding documents setting support needs up to age 25. Hackney’s EHCP cohort stands at 3,839 – double 2019 levels and above England averages – amid high demand and financial constraints hindering staffing. As stated in the Ofsted-linked report via East London Times, “financial constraints of recent years, doubled by the high demand,” limit coordination for assessments, creation, and maintenance.

Leaders are committed to a “consistently positive experience for children and parents” in EHC needs assessments, with more multi-disciplinary input required. Hackney’s November 2025 SEND self-assessment mirrors these priorities, showing proactive alignment. Councillors expressed particular worry over EHCPs in the scrutiny session.

What Challenges Do Waiting Times Pose for Families?

Long waits for neurodevelopmental assessments persist: for children, Complex Communication Clinic (under 5s) averages 11-12 months (220 waiting); 5-18 autism pathway 18 months; ADHD 9 months in some cases. Between April 2024-March 2025, CAMHS SPA handled 780 requests for 5-18s, with 42% needing assessment, 34% signposted elsewhere. ADHD medication waits hit 21 months amid supply issues and reduced prescribers.​

As per the Autism & Neurodevelopmental Pathways report presented to scrutiny, demand has surged since 2019 due to awareness and post-COVID backlogs, with capacity marginally up. Initiatives like twilight clinics and Hub & Spoke models reduced times (e.g., SCAC pilot cut assessment hours by half), earning NHS recognition. Support while waiting includes needs-based offers like OT/SaLT workshops, Family Coach, and Padlet resources.​

How Is Hackney Tackling School Exclusions and NEET Risks?

The inspection flagged urgent improvement in school exclusion rates for SEND pupils and strategic performance data use. Recommendations urge secondary school partnerships to cut exclusions/suspensions, plus better alternative provision and post-16 offers to avoid NEET status. Early years shines, identifying needs “quickly and carefully” with effective support.

Complex needs pathways are “seamless” with tailored offers. New Education Strategic Plan and SEND/Inclusion Strategy 2026-2029, approved December 2025, aim for sustained impact, though early-stage. PINS project fosters neuro-affirming school practices.

What Role Does the Autism Strategy Play?

Sizer highlighted the strategy’s diagnosis-independent access, amid scrutiny concerns. The All Age Autism Strategy 2020-2025 (co-produced) underpins efforts, with neuro-affirming principles: inclusive, needs-based, co-produced. Transition planning starts at 14; focus on reducing crisis presentations. Demographics: 1% autistic, ADHD 5% children/3-4% adults UK-wide.

What’s Next for Hackney’s SEND Provision?

Hackney vows joint work per the January 2026 rating. Dashboard extensions, EHCP refinements, and exclusion measures are key. Ongoing: Right Support Right Time guidance, PINS expansion, neurodiversity training (2,360 practitioners). Leaders prioritise equity amid demand.