A TOP-LEVEL investigation of Lancashire County Council’s education services for children with autism has praised the authority’s work.

Two government experts on special educational needs (SEN) visited the county council in December.

Their investigation was triggered by last July’s heated parliamentary debate on autism education in Lancashire, which raised claims by families that their children’s needs weren’t being met.

But Burnley MP Gordon Birtwistle and parents of children with autism have branded the investigation a ‘whitewash’, saying they were never consulted by the investigators.

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In the parliamentary debate Mr Birtwistle highlighted to education minister Edward Timpson cases of three children with autism he claimed had been let down by Lancashire County Council.

But the advisers’ investigation found no cause for concerns – and on the contrary showed that the county council had excellent relationships, good practice and dedicated staff.

The report said: “There is a commitment from both the local authority’s SEN staff and leadership teams to place children at the centre of decision-making and ensure parents are engaged.

“Lancashire has a broad range of provision for meeting the needs of children with autism. Lancashire schools have access to considerable expertise on autism provided by specialist advisory teachers and educational psychologists.”

They spoke to the two special schools mentioned in the parliamentary debate, Pendle View Primary and Broadfield Specialist School, noted their outstanding Ofsted status, and wrote: “Both were confident they could meet each child’s needs. Both felt their school provision has been unfairly and inappropriately represented in parliament, at tribunal hearings, and in the local media.”

Cllr Matthew Tomlinson, cabinet member for children, young people and schools, said: “I have always had full confidence in the professionalism and effectiveness of our SEN service but it is of course very pleasing to have that view confirmed by an impartial and respected agency.”

But Alan Entwistle, whose son Jack’s case was highlighted by Mr Birtwistle in Parliament, criticised the outcome of the investigation.

He said: “From what I’ve heard it’s a bit of a whitewash. None of the parents were even aware it was happening.

“We met with Matthew Tomlinson in August and we’ve heard nothing back since then. I would strongly disagree with what the report has said.”

Gordon Birtwistle also disputed the findings of the report.

He said: “Obviously they haven’t spoken to the people who were suffering under the regime of the County Council.”

“They certainly haven’t spoken to my constituents who I held the debate on behalf of.

“The inspectors may not have found anything because the County Council won’t have shown them anything.

“They didn’t speak to me. I would suggest it’s a whitewash on behalf of the County Council.”