Long waits for SEND and mental health support risk being “normalised”, experts have said, as areas where pupils reach “crisis point before their needs are met” escape government intervention. Several areas inspected by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission were given the middle rating of “inconsistent” – and some the top “positive” rating – for special needs services, despite evidence of substantial delays for services. Areas rated “inconsistent” are re-inspected quicker than those with positive ratings, but do not trigger formal action. This is saved for those found to have “widespread and/or systemic failings leading to significant concerns”. In Gloucestershire, inspectors found “systems that are too reactive, and, in some cases, this results in children, young people and families reaching crisis point before their needs are met”. They warned that young people were not meeting the criteria for mental health assessment, even when health services backed their applications. For some, “hospital admission was the trigger for support”. ‘Clear risk delays are being normalised’ A “significant number” of parents described feeling “desperate and many practitioners say …