At the start of 2023, we conducted a research project to look at the effectiveness of EHC plans and to understand what the barriers are in getting and following through an EHCP, in addition to highlighting areas of process that are working well. Additional areas explored include the EHCP process, family involvement, quality of EHCP, annual reviews, quality of education, support with transition into work-like activities and quality of support received from health, social care, parental wellbeing and other support services.

In past years, Barking and Dagenham has had a history of delays in providing Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) services to the children in the borough. Healthwatch therefore decided to investigate the current service to see if the remodelled service of 2008 had been able to keep up with the increased pressure caused by the increased number of children now resident in the borough.

This report outlines the views of parents, carers and professionals.

Healthwatch B&D spoke to individuals with hearing impairments to better nunderstand their views of local services. Participants choose to tell us about
Audiology Service, their GP Practices, Council Services and other Health Services.