Ofsted said that council, health and education leaders understand the issues around Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) services.

Simon Bywater, chairman of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Children and Young People’s Committee said: “Supporting vulnerable children and their families and improving their life chances is central to everything we do.

“This inspection shows that we are an organisation that knows itself, can work collaboratively with our partners and make real improvements where we need to.

“This report gives us plenty to think about and to build on, but it makes encouraging reading for us and – most importantly – for those families who rely on us to support their children’s development”

Jill Houghton, Chief Nurse, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “It’s encouraging to see that Ofsted recognises the progress we are already making on improving the areas highlighted within the report.

“They can see the positive affect these improvements are having on children and families. This is an excellent example of how local organisations and service users can work in partnership to improve the quality of care provided to local people.”

The report says actions being taken are making a difference.

Main findings include:

• Leaders collaborate effectively with parents to develop services that meet the needs of children and young people.

• Providers and local area officers make sure the views of parents and carers, children and young people are included in the plans.

• Safeguarding is given a high priority.

• Children and young people with SEND progress as well as others at secondary schools and colleges.

• Children receiving SEN support make less progress than all pupils nationally during key stage 2.

• Young people are well supported into adulthood with high proportions in work, further education or in training.

• Specialist health services are providing care within the target 18 weeks.

• Leaders work together to support children exhibiting challenging behaviour.