New parent carer guide to SEN support in schools

The thing we probably get asked most about on our enquiry line is how a school can support a child with SEND. From the kind of support that’s possible, through to school plans and meetings and getting more help when things aren’t going well, it’s a big and important topic. So, to help answer your questions, we’ve brought lots of information together in a new booklet.

It’s full of practical tips and advice and based on what happens every day in schools. Available as a PDF and a printed booklet, it takes parents and carers step by step through SEN support in schools. The booklet has colour coded sections, small chunks of information and step by step guides to processes. 

Introducing the new Ambassador Volunteer coordinator

Working jointly with Parent Carer Forum Devon (PCFD), Sarah Lord has recently joined the DiAS team as Ambassador Volunteer Coordinator.

Sarah has worked in education for over 20 years in a variety of roles, but she says it’s her experience as a former SENDCo which supports her most in her new role “I have been alongside many families in their SEND journey over the years and I really understand the challenges and rewards that can bring.  I am also a qualified counsellor for children and young people and recognise the importance of supporting the mental health of both parents and children when they are impacted by SEND."

New SEN support Jargon Buster!

The world of SEND is full of jargon and for parent carers (and lots of professionals too) it can be a confusing and difficult language to learn. That’s why we have created a new jargon buster about SEN support terms.

Listed alphabetically, it’s a wide ranging look at the SEN support terms and words that you’ll hear in school and see written in your child’s support plans. From Augmentative and Alternative Communication through to Zones of Regulation, it’s an A to Z of words and terms and a brief explanation of what they mean. Find it on our website.

Our 2021/22 annual report

This term saw the publication of our annual report for 2021/22.  In it you can find details about what we achieved, the people we have supported and how we influenced local and national policy and services. Here are a few highlights:

• The service saw an increase in demand for yet another year. The increase of 40% had a significant impact on the staff team.
• There was a significant increase in both health and social care related enquiries – a 96% and 157% increase respectively.
• The service continues to be highly valued by its users. 90% of enquirers responded with the highest rating to the question ‘How helpful was the information, advice and support we gave you?’ on our feedback form.
• The development of the children and young people’s offer has been very successful. There was a big increase in the number of children and young people who received support and lots of information on our website written specifically for them.

Your views about training

We are looking at the training and information events we offer to parent carers about SEND. We're reviewing what we have and planning some new training for the future. To do that well, and to give you what you need, we really need you to talk to us!

A survey is coming soon, but we'd like to hear from you by email, phone or face to face. You can email Sarah Smith with your views about what parents need, or to arrange a call, or to arrange for her to come and meet your support group.   

Two new special schools open

The Promise School in Okehampton has now moved into its permanent purpose built site. The school opened in September 2022 in temporary accommodation and the move to its permanent sites means that more new pupils can attend from September 2023. The school will provide 100 places for children and young people age 5-16 years of age with an EHC plan, who have Social Emotional and Mental Health needs. It's also for children with Autism Spectrum Conditions and Speech, Language and Communication Needs. 

Marland School has now opened its fourth school site for children who have complex Social Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. The new satellite site in the East-The-Water area of Bideford will provide 40 extra day school places for secondary students age 11-16 years. 

Devon’s SEND Improvement Plan published

The improvement plan has now been published and sets out plans to move forwards in the four areas of weakness set out in last year's Ofsted and CQC inspection findings. The plan will be monitored by the Department for Education and NHS England and it will focus specifically on improvements in these four areas:

• Strategy – The fact that strategic plans and the local area’s SEND arrangements are not embedded or widely understood by stakeholders
• Communications – The significant concerns that were reported about communication with key stakeholders, particularly with parents and families.
• EHC Plans timeliness and quality – The time it takes to issue Education, Health, and Care (EHC) plans and the variable quality of these plans.
• Autism – Weaknesses in the identification, assessment, diagnosis and support of those children and young people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

New Special Free School to be built in Cranbrook

Devon County Council (DCC) has been successful in its bid to the Department for Education (DfE) to open a new special free school in Cranbrook. The proposed school will be a 70 place special school for children and young people aged 9-16 with Autistic Spectrum Conditions, Social Emotional and Mental Health and/or Speech, Language and Communication needs. The target date to open is in the 2026/27 academic year. You can find out more on the DCC website. 

Devon County Council appoints a new Director of Children and Young People’s Futures

Stuart Collins is joining the council from Kent County Council, where he is currently Director of Integrated Children’s Services. Mr Collins is a qualified social worker, with more than 29 years’ experience in local authority Children’s Services. Before coming to Devon, he was responsible for Children’s Social Work and Early Help services for north and west Kent, and is the strategic countywide lead on all its Early Help Services.

Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition publish report exploring behaviour in school and Mental Health

The Behaviour and Mental Health in Schools report is based on a year-long inquiry into mental health and behaviour in schools. The inquiry aimed to explore the links between behaviour and mental health, to look at the impact of school behavioural policies on children and young people, and to understand what can be done to improve the approach to behaviour and mental health in schools.

The report finds that whilst it is important for schools to have clear expectations and boundaries in place, punitive approaches to behaviour management are harming children and young people’s mental health. The report calls for a wholescale culture shift in how behaviour is viewed and responded to in schools.

Guide for parents on school behaviour and exclusion

The Department for Education has published a guide, written specifically for parent carers, to help you understand:

• why your child’s school has a behaviour policy
• how to support your child
• the school suspension and permanent exclusion process
• how to challenge a suspension or permanent exclusion