Inspection of SEND Services for Leeds Children and Young People
April 14, 2026Authorities seek views on local SEND provision
Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) have launched a joint area inspection of services in Leeds for children and young people aged 0 to 25 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The inspection covers a range of services across education, health, and social care sectors.
Purpose of the inspection
The inspection aims to assess how well local services meet the needs of children and young people with SEND, as well as the experiences of their parents and carers. Inspectors are also interested in the perspectives of professionals working with this group, referred to as ‘practitioners’.
Invitation to participate in surveys
To gather a broad range of views, Ofsted and CQC are inviting children, young people, parents, carers, and practitioners to take part in anonymous surveys. These surveys include accessible ‘easy read’ versions to accommodate different needs.
- Surveys can be accessed online at: https://ofsted.smartsurvey.co.uk/p/AreaSend/10420261
- Paper copies are available on request by contacting Leeds City Council via email at SENDbestpractice@leeds.gov.uk or by phone on 0113 37 83691
- All survey responses are confidential and will only be seen by inspectors
- The deadline for survey submissions is 9:00am on 21 April 2026
Further information and contact details
For questions about the inspection or the surveys, individuals can contact the inspection support team at SENDbestpractice@leeds.gov.uk.
Additional information about the inspection process is available on the UK government’s website, including an easy-read guide and a detailed version:
Statements from local officials
Peter Thorpe, Interim Director of Children’s Services at Leeds City Council, and Penny McSorley, Deputy Director of Nursing and Quality for the NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, have expressed their appreciation to everyone who participates in the surveys.
This inspection forms part of ongoing efforts to evaluate and improve services for children and young people with SEND in Leeds.
Source: Doing Good Leeds
