Question: When is a consultation not a consultation? Answer: When only 1 out of 4 meetings about the new Haringey SEND Strategy meet the Amaze recommended minimum 3 weeks notice.
- By Brian Leveson
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- 16 Jun, 2021
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The purpose of these consultation meetings is to ensure lessons learned from amongst other things, the Amaze Report (described by the department as 'a clear action plan') are taken forward. But lessons are not being learned - particularly about engagement and consultation. Does no one remember Overview and Scrutiny Panel rejecting the proposed privatisation of Haringey SEND Transport over this?
Wednesday 16th July 2021: 6pm to 7pm
These events are hosted by Haringey SENDIASS at Markfield and presented by Mary Jarrett (Head of Service, Integrated SEND) - see slides below
Sendiass Markfield is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Conversation about SEND Strategy in Haringey
Time: Jul 5, 2021 05:30 PM London
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Monday 5th July at 5.30pm to 7.00pm
These events are hosted by Haringey SENDIASS at Markfield and presented by Mary Jarrett (Head of Service, Integrated SEND) - see slides below
Sendiass Markfield is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Conversation about SEND Strategy in Haringey
Time: Jul 5, 2021 05:30 PM London
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/96062909008?pwd=dnZUbU54R0RDQUtXTHgraEREZmlrdz09
Meeting ID: 960 6290 9008
Passcode: 469382
Wednesday 7th July at 5.30pm to 7.00pm
These events are hosted by Haringey SENDIASS at Markfield and presented by Mary Jarrett (Head of Service, Integrated SEND) - see slides below
Sendiass Markfield is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Conversation about SEND Strategy in Haringey
Time: Jul 7, 2021 05:30 PM London
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/98776804905?pwd=eHAvUjMrOGdBYmk2SmM5MEViRnBydz09
Meeting ID: 987 7680 4905
Passcode: 277372
Slides for the meeting - our commentary is underneath
The Ofsted 17th December 2019 focused visit identified the recruitment and retention of permanent social workers and managers as an area of social work practice that needs improvement. 50143403 (ofsted.gov.uk)
At the end of March 2021, 160 families on the disabled children's team list who had not contacted the department during the lockdowns were told that they would get a 'welfare check call'. within 2 weeks.
After a month, when no call was forthcoming, we enquired as to what had happened.
So, we got a call, out of the blue, but it was not pre-arranged and it was not convenient, so we asked for a follow up call. At this point we were told that this was not a 'welfare check call' to see how we were, but a 'welfare project call' - to help the department work out is priorities for the next year.
We were then told that these calls were only courtesy calls - and we would not be getting one.
- no indication of what people for whom communication via Zoom (people with additional needs) or
- who have English as a second language or
- people who are simply too busy to attend
- parents fed up of the merry-go-round of meeting, promises and then nothing happening
The Amaze report - a clear action plan, clearly not being followed
PARTICIPATION PROJECTS AND COMMUNICAITON
Professionals to plan ahead for consultations and engagement opportunities, with an ideal minimum of three weeks' notice for meetings and six for consultation
Judge them on what they DO - NOT what they 'say'
Haringey's Consultation Charter - Is it being followed?
By calling this process a 'consultation' Haringey SEND department, in my view, are having a particular type of engagement.
In 2019, Haringey SEND department got themselves into a bit of a pickle with parents and the Overview and Scrutiny Panel about "a consultation that was not a consultation" on privatising the SEND transport system.
It would be remise not to learn the lessons of that not a consultation consultation and make the same mistake twice...
Is this a consultation?
Does it have all the features of a consultation?
Will everyone be engaged?
Are documents being translated into languages other than English?
How will inclusion be ensured for people who cannot access virtual meetings?
Is best practice to ensure equality, diversity and social inclusion being followed? (like their own 'amazing' action plan?
