Following the recent Area SEND inspection, Leeds Parent Carer Forum attended Leeds City Council’s Children and Families Scrutiny Board meeting (Wednesday, 8th July 2026). Councillors and senior leaders discussed the inspection findings and the improvements needed across SEND services in Leeds.
Earlier this year, Leeds PCF encouraged parent carers to take part in the inspection process and share their experiences with inspectors. The voices of families played an important role in helping inspectors understand what life is really like for children and young people with SEND and their families in Leeds.
Leeds PCF regularly attends the Children and Families Scrutiny Board as the recognised voice of parent carers in Leeds. The meeting on 8th July provided an opportunity to discuss the inspection findings and the next steps for improvement.
The inspection report highlighted a number of significant issues affecting children and young people with SEND and their families. Many of the findings reflected concerns that parent carers have been sharing with Leeds PCF for a number of years. The report also provides an important opportunity to focus attention on the changes families want to see.
At the meeting, Leeds PCF shared the view that meaningful co-production with parent carers must remain at the heart of the improvement journey. Families’ experiences and insights are vital in helping services understand where improvements are needed and what good support looks like in practice.
Although our full statement was not presented during the meeting itself due to time constraints, it has been submitted to the Scrutiny Board and will form part of the official record.
This is the statement submitted by Leeds PCF:
We welcome the report.
We are pleased to have been fully and meaningfully involved in providing feedback.
The findings come as no surprise. As parent carers, we have been raising these issues for years. Three years ago, we shared our experiences at this same Scrutiny Board, yet little has changed.We believe strongly in genuine co-production. This requires not only being listened to, but truly being heard and involved in shaping change.
We now feel there is a shift towards this, and we are beginning to work together more constructively.
We remain an independent, voluntary group of parents and carers. While we are committed to working closely with the local authority, we will continue to challenge appropriately and hold services to account in the best interests of children and families.
We remain committed to working constructively with Leeds City Council, health partners and education providers to ensure that the experiences of children, young people and families continue to shape improvements across SEND services in Leeds.
You can watch the Scrutiny Board meeting recording here.
Thank you to every parent carer who shared their experiences during the inspection process and continues to share feedback with us. Your voices help us ensure that the experiences of Leeds families are heard where decisions are being made.