Activity update
Our whole system transformation on SEND in Devon is increasing its pace in 2024. This spring term’s activity includes:
- The launch of Devon County Council's SEND Advisory teams for schools across the local area. You can read more about the SEND Advisory teams for schools here.
- The return of our Educational Psychology (EP) early intervention work to targeted schools with the highest inclusion need. We contacted these schools in the autumn term and will be holding School Review Consultations this term. Following school’s feedback the EP service will be using a consultation approach to early intervention work. You can read more about the gradual return of our EP service to schools here. and the Psychology Works consultation approach here.
- Ongoing work around simplifying and clarifying our Ordinarily Available Provision in schools and other settings.
- Ongoing work with parents, staff and schools to review our Education Health and Care (EHC) processes to improve the quality and timeliness of assessments and plans.
- Consulting on our SEND Strategy for 2024-27 which we’ve developed based on what families and professionals are saying we need to work on.
Look out for opportunities to get involved throughout the year, which we’ll share through this newsletter, the SEND Local Offer webpage and our Facebook page.
Getting Involved
Devon County Council is inviting parents-carers whose child has an Education Health and Care (EHC) plan to discuss potential improvements to the EHC processes. This builds on the work already done with families in the autumn of 2023 as part of the wider SEND transformation programme in Devon.
An in-person workshop will be held in January where Devon County Council will share the findings on the current EHC process and gather feedback on potential improvements. There will also be one-to-one sessions looking at potential improvements and online sessions which will be recorded and shared for those parent-carers who cannot attend.
You can learn more in this document.
Hope programme for parents of autistic children
Are you a parent of an autistic child? Would you like to cope better, feel more in control of your emotions and be more resilient?
The NHS is funding a six-week course that aims to teach you how to become more relaxed, improve your confidence in setting positive goals, learn stress and fatigue management skills and explore any worries you experience. The course is delivered by Hope for the Community CIC and starts on Tuesday 16 January.
Find out more on the Hope Programme for Parents of Autistic Children website.
Devon Information Advice Service (DIAS) recruitment
Devon Information Advice Service (DIAS) is looking to recruit an Information and Advice Triage Officer to join their team in Exeter.
The permanent role is part-time for 18.5 hours per week. You'll be the first point of contact for parents, carers, children and young people who contact the service. You will listen, ask questions and then use a solutions-focused approach to give impartial information and advice.
The closing date for applications is Sunday 14 January 2024. Find out more on the Devon Jobs website.
Have your say on adult learning disability day services
Devon County Council’s learning disability day service for adults in Tiverton is currently required by one person and those in Okehampton, Honiton, Barnstaple, and Kingsbridge are currently not attended by anyone.
People are being asked for their views on whether these six day services should continue to operate. Whatever option is decided, Devon County Council will continue to meet a person’s eligible needs following a Care Act assessment and support plan.
The consultation is open until Tuesday 16 January. There is an online consultation meeting at 1pm on Monday 15 January.
You can have your say, or book a place on the online consultation meeting, on Devon County Council's website..
Devon SEND Partnership Board
The Devon SEND Strategic Partnership Board met on 15 December 2023. You can view the minutes, and the dates of all the 2024 Partnership Boards on the Local Offer website.
Resource Base programme
The Resource Base programme continues to move forward at pace with further plans being progressed to bring forward provision to support children and young people to stay in their local schools and communities.
The Department for Education's Regional Director for the South West has approved the establishment of two resource bases. They are:
- at Brixington Primary Academy for up to 10 learners with social, emotional and mental health needs from September 2024
- at Holsworthy Community College for up to 10 learners with communication and interaction needs from September 2024
In addition, Devon County Council and West Croft School are consulting on a proposal to establish a resource base at West Croft School for up to 10 learners with communication and interaction needs from September 2024.
Increasing resource base provision is part of a county-wide strategy by Devon County Council in response to the demand for increased special educational needs provision and to enhance the inclusive capacity of mainstream schools.
This informal consultation is open until Thursday 22 February 2024. Comments can be made to Devon County Council by emailing schoolconsultations@devon.gov.uk.
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