Croydon Council’s work helping young people with special educational needs (SEN) has been recognised with a win at a national awards ceremony.
At Wednesday’s LGC Awards recognising innovation in local government, Croydon Council officers were among the South London SEN Commissioning Programme’s team that collected the Efficiency Award.
The programme, which includes specialist officers from across 10 London boroughs commissioning SEN placements for young people, beat eight other finalist councils to scoop the award.
Launched in September 2013 by Croydon Council with three other London boroughs, the South London SEN Commissioning Programme is now the largest group of its kind in the country. As well as aiming to give the best possible outcomes for children and young people with SEN, its efficiency drive has saved the participating London boroughs over £3m by working together to shape and manage the independent sector market.
Wednesday’s award was handed over by actor Stephen Mangan, who hosted the event at the Grosvenor House Hotel in central London. Croydon Council was also a finalist for four other awards.
“Croydon had finalists in a quarter of last night’s categories, and I’d like to thank our council staff whose excellence and sheer hard work was recognised at these awards.
“Getting the right support for young people with special educational needs is one of the most important things this council does, so I’m delighted for our officers whose SEN commissioning work with colleagues across south London got the credit they deserved.”
Councillor Tony Newman, leader of the council
The South London SEN Commissioning Programme’s win is its second in a year after receiving the Innovation or Initiative of the Year in Local Government Award at the GO Procurement Awards in Manchester in February 2015.
