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December 2025
The end of the calendar year is often a time for us to reflect back on accomplishments over the previous 12 months and to look ahead to the next new year.
The council had already started its improvement journey in SEND, but I, with other cabinet members, have been in post since May. We immediately put Children’s Services at the heart of our plans, to improve outcomes for young people by increasing the pace, scrutiny and commitment to fixing the system.
Feedback that we’re starting to hear from some parents and carers is that they're starting to notice differences, and that our services - although still some way to go - are improving. I hope that's your experience too.
As our changes embed, gain pace and become the new ‘norm’, I sincerely believe that our young people will benefit. The seeds have been planted, now we need to carefully nurture the green shoots starting to appear, until real change is felt by all.
Key highlights from the year include:
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Free School Meals (FSM) auto-enrolment - Devon became the first two-tier authority to achieve this, helping over 1,000 children access FSM and unlocking £1.5m in pupil premium funding for schools
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Expanded local provision - 70 places for the Home 2 Onsite (H2O) programme at Petroc College and 212 further education places added
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Rolled out the Partnership for Inclusion and Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS)
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Improved transitions - enhanced networks to support smooth moves between education phases
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Building relationships with schools and education partners
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Appointment of our Independent Strategic Advisor to drive innovation and meaningful change for children and families
There's obviously a lot more work to do, and in the new year we will be focusing on launching a redesigned Inclusion and Learning service in January, including new locality teams to bring services closer to home and ensure support is more responsive, consistent, and tailored to local needs.
One of the key things we want to see embedded across our services is the principle of our 'Four Cornerstones'. There is more about that in this newsletter.
For now though, I want to thank all our parents and carers for their continued support and understanding, and wish you all a very calm, merry Christmas and a very happy New Year.
Councillor Denise Bickley, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for SEND
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Devon County Councillors have agreed a bold new strategy to reshape support for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), aiming to create a more inclusive education system across the county.
The SEND Sufficiency Strategy 2025–2030 sets out how Devon will meet rising demand for SEND provision while reducing reliance on independent specialist placements.
The plan focuses on early intervention, local provision, and building inclusive communities, in line with national reforms expected to be formalised in a Schools White Paper next year.
Devon's SEND Operations Team want to keep you informed about an important change that will make the Education, Health and Care (EHC) process clearer and more collaborative for everyone. From January 2026, consultations with schools, colleges, and other education settings will take place through the EHC Hub.
This change is designed to make the process more inclusive and transparent. The EHC Hub is a secure, central platform where families, education settings, and professionals can all view and contribute to consultations. Updates and progress will be visible in real time, ensuring that every voice is part of the conversation at each stage.
Using the EHC Hub will help share information consistently and clearly, reducing delays and improving communication. This means everyone involved will have the same information at the same time, helping us work together more effectively.
We believe this new approach will strengthen our partnership with families and professionals, supporting better outcomes for children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
Thank you for your continued support and for working with us to improve the SEND experience in Devon.
Devon County Council has pledged to overhaul its Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services after years of challenges that have left families frustrated and trust broken.
Cllr Denise Bickley, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services with responsibility for SEND, said the past six months have been focused on rebuilding relationships and laying the foundations for lasting change.
Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD) know that sometimes it can be difficult to imagine what an initial assessment might be like, and this can make you feel a little uncertain or anxious.
CFHD’s Mood, Emotions and Relationships team (MERs) have put together a short video about what to expect at your initial assessment and what this might look like.
Exeter College and Petroc College have confirmed they will formally merge on Monday, 5 January 2026, creating the Exeter and North Devon Colleges Group, following approval by both Colleges’ Boards of Governors.
Devon County Council has launched a 12-week consultation to shape the future of our 50 libraries. Libraries are vital spaces for learning, connection, and support for children and young people with SEND and their families.
The proposals include standardising opening hours, exploring technology to extend access, and considering community-managed libraries - but crucially no libraries will close.
Your views will help ensure libraries remain inclusive, accessible, and responsive to the needs of children, young people, and families.
Take part by 22 February 2026, complete the survey online or at your local library.
Family Hubs are local centres offering help, advice, and information for families. They bring together services for children and young people, including support for those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
If you’d like to keep up to date with their news and resources, take a look at the latest Family Hub newsletter.
This newsletter is here to share updates that matter to you and highlight support available across Devon.
If you’ve found it useful, please share it with others in your network so more families can benefit.
Do you have ideas, questions or examples of best practice to share?
We’d love to hear from you. Email us with your feedback, thoughts and help us showcase great practice across Devon.
We all know that places to go and things to do are really important for young people in Devon – and that some young people have more access to what Devon has to offer than others.
The Champions group who are part of the Devon Youth Council Network for Change have been working hard with the Devon County Council commissioning team, space and libraries unlimited specifically with accessibility in mind. This has included the development of a leaflet which will provide clear options for disabled young people to access and enjoy some of Devon’s wilder outdoor spaces.
The same group have also spoken at a conference on employment and aspirations, reminding key decision-makers that disabled young people also want to earn a living and follow their dreams like everyone else, they just may need a little more support for that to happen.
You might have heard us mention the “Four Cornerstones” before. They’re really important to the SEND Partnership because they represent a commitment to how the council and NHS work with families.
In simple terms, they’re four principles we try to follow every time we support you. They help us make sure services feel better for families.
Whenever we work with you, we will ask ourselves:
- Do you feel welcomed and cared about?
- Do you feel valued and included?
- Are we communicating clearly, on time, and in a helpful way?
- Are we working in partnership with you and other services to plan and set goals?
That’s what the Four Cornerstones are all about - making sure you feel respected, listened to, and involved.
We would like to work with you to improve how we do this. There are opportunities to coproduce changes, and you can find out more on the Parent Carer Forum Devon website.
As the countdown to Christmas begins, Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service is reminding shoppers to stay vigilant when buying toys for children this festive season.
With rising costs and the lure of bargain deals online, parents and carers may be tempted to opt for cheaper options – but these could come with hidden dangers.
Heart of the South West Trading Standards is warning that toys purchased from non-UK suppliers or unverified websites may not meet safety standards.
Looking for clear, practical health advice? New web pages by Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD) are now available to support children and young people with moderate to profound learning disabilities. These resources are part of the Specialist Learning Disability Health Pathway and include tips for everyday health, independence, and wellbeing.
Christmas doesn’t have to follow a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Good planning and small adjustments can make the season more enjoyable for everyone.
Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD) have shared some practical strategies for a neurodiverse friendly Christmas including tips to help your child sleep well during the festive countdown.
Winter tips and support for looking after your physical and mental health during the colder months.
From all of us across the partnership, we hope you enjoy a peaceful winter and a bright New Year.
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