13 May 2025
Dear Colleagues,
I am writing to inform you that Ofsted has now published its inspection report on Devon’s Children’s Services, following visits in late 2024 and early 2025. While the overall judgement remains inadequate, the report does acknowledge the significant progress made since the last inspection and highlights the foundations now in place for sustained improvement.
We want to be transparent about the challenges that remain, but also clear that this report reflects a service that is on a positive trajectory. As Julian Wooster, our Director of Children’s and Young People’s Futures, has emphasised:
- The inspection does not fully reflect where Devon’s Children’s Services are today.
- There has been good progress, some of which is acknowledged in the report.
- A strong and stable senior leadership team is now in place, with many leaders drawn from high-performing authorities.
- There is good and outstanding practice in Devon – our task is to ensure this becomes the standard for every child.
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Partnership working must improve to ensure that vulnerable children and families receive the support they need in their communities.
Specifically in relation to inclusion and learning the report identifies the following:
- Line of sight to children who are Electively Home Educated needs to be strengthened
- Too many children in care are not accessing full-time education [in comparison to other council areas].
- Further work is needed to support care leavers to access education, training and employment and plan for this earlier in their journey through school [too many vulnerable children are NEET in Devon]
As the new leadership team in Inclusion and Learning, we are committed to working closely with our colleagues in Children’s Services to improve outcomes for Devon’s most vulnerable children. This includes:
- Strengthening our locality-based working, ensuring schools have better access to support and advice.
- Enhancing the role of the Virtual School in supporting children in care and those with a social worker.
- Improving the quality and consistency of interaction between schools and social care teams.
You can expect to see more visible and coordinated support from our teams in the coming months. We know that schools are central to the lives of children and families, and your role in identifying and responding to need is critical.
Thank you for your continued commitment to Devon’s children. Together, through stronger partnership and shared ambition, we can ensure every child receives the support they deserve.
Warm regards,
Jack Newton Deputy Director – Inclusion and Learning, Devon County Council
Kellie Knott Deputy & SEND Strategic Director
Becky Hopkins Deputy Director Children’s Services & Head of Children’s Social Care
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