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April 2025
With hundreds of current Year 6 pupils in Devon due to start new schools from September, we asked colleagues at Lampard Community School what, in their view, makes for a good transition for young children from one school to the next.
Devon County Council can make travel arrangements to help eligible children get to school, for example if they cannot walk to school because of their special educational need or disability, or they live further than the statutory walking distance from their designated school. All requests for transport are considered on a case-by-case basis, and there's an online guide to help families understand the process and how decisions are made.
Devon County Council's SEND Network for Change aims to create opportunities for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to get involved and have their voice heard! There are lots of different groups and projects going on, run by our SEND Participation Team. Below are some of the things that the groups have been involved in recently...
During March, over 7,000 young people from across Devon voted in the Make Your Mark ballot, and we can now reveal that the top voted issue was ‘Places to go, things to do’.
Recently the 'Champions for Change' group invited Kellie Knott, Devon County Council's SEND Strategic Director, to one of their meetings to hear about the Four Cornerstones Approach and began thinking about their experiences of being welcomed and cared for, valued and included, well communicated with and of being equal partners.
Young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) from across our Network for Change have joined Devon's Youth Council and have been representing their peers in wider youth voice work across the county
Understanding the experiences of families in Devon is a vital to ensuring that things really do improve for children and young people with SEND. To make sure we’re making the right changes to what we do and the way we do them, please share with us any comments or examples of what you think has gone well and what needs to be better.
Devon County Council has welcomed its new Head of SEND Operations, Claire Merchant Jones, to the team this month.
Claire is responsible for the operation of the SEND Statutory Team, which carries out Education Health and Care (EHC) needs assessments and maintains and reviews EHC plans.
Devon County Council's SEND Strategic Director, Kellie Knott, featured in Schools Week earlier this month, alongside Rob Coles, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Education South West. The article is about the different approach that we are taking in Devon to ensure that children and young people with SEND can access the support they need, alongside their peers, without being removed from their local communities.
Devon Information Advice and Support (DiAS) and Parent Carer Forum Devon are looking for someone to lead Devon's Ambassador Volunteer Programme, which works with parents and carers of children with SEND to collect and share useful information. The role, which is independent of Devon County Council and NHS Devon, includes developing and managing a team of volunteers, developing community networks, organising events, delivering presentations and training, disseminating key information from stakeholders, gathering feedback, and producing written reports to demonstrate impact. More details, including salary, hours and how to apply, can be found on the Devon Jobs website.
The SEND Communication and Interaction Team at Devon County Council is gearing up to deliver their popular ‘Autism and Us’ parent programme again this summer. The free four-week course and one-off workshops give you opportunity to develop your understanding of autism and look at practical solutions to managing and supporting your child’s presenting needs, whilst also connecting with other parents/carers.
Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD) is using a new way provide Speech and Language Therapy Services across Devon. It's called the Balanced System ® framework and is designed to make sure that everyone - parents, carers, and professionals - has the right support to help children improve their speech and communication.
Devon County Council is running a series of free online support sessions for young people and their parents about preparing for adulthood. The next one is on Tuesday 20 May at 1pm and is about the support available during and after transitions.
During Mental Health Awareness Week next month, Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD) is holding an online information offering practical, everyday strategies to support mental health at home, in the workplace, or in caregiving settings.
Y-SMART provides advice and intervention to children and young people who are affected by substance misuse, whether that’s their own misuse, or there is substance misuse in their family. It's part of our Early Help and Partnerships service, and all young people, aged up to 18 years old, can access it for free.
NHS Devon and local health providers are working together to ensure that children and young people who are waiting for an autism assessment, receive this as soon as possible. Earlier this month Children and Family Health Devon published an update about how the project is going.
Summer dates are now available to book for the free 'Making Sense of SEND' training offered by Devon Information Advice and Support (DiAS). The sessions help parent carers understand some of the most important information and the most useful skills to develop when supporting a child with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
This month saw children due to start primary schools in Devon this September find out where they've been allocated a place. All pupils with Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), and 96 per cent of those without, were offered places in their preferred mainstream schools.
Exeter children’s library is getting an impressive upgrade. A key feature is a new sensory space which will support children with autism, ADHD, and sensory processing disorders. The sensory zone will be situated in its own dedicated space on the mezzanine to provide a comfortable, accessible and safe space for all. The installation of a lift will enable children with disabilities to access the sensory room on the lower floor as well as providing access to the newly dedicated mezzanine area.
As part of Autism Acceptance Month, Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD) is showcasing resources that can be found on their website with a focus on autism. Developed working with participation groups and the Parent Carer Forum, the list includes information that you may find helpful while waiting for an autism assessment, such as relationships, sensory differences and masking.
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