a graphic that announcing the SEND Improvement Partnership Board update for February 2023

Welcome to Devon’s special educational needs and disability (SEND) Improvement Partnership Board update for children, young people, parents, parent carers, carers and professionals. The information on this page is also sent out in a regular newsletter. You can view and subscribe to the SEND Improvement Partnership Board update newsletter here.

Government SEND and alternative provision improvement plan

The government published its SEND and alternative improvement plan last week, confirming extra investment in training for teachers, and additional specialist school places for those with greatest needs. Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for schools, said:

“We welcome the Government’s announcement of additional vital resources to ensure that the growing numbers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities across the country receive the help, support and education they need.

“And we specifically welcome focus on resources that will help and improve the provision and inclusion within mainstream schools for children and young people who have moderate special educational needs and disabilities.”

Read the full response on the Devon County Council website.

News from the SEND Improvement Partnership Board

The SEND Improvement Partnership Board met on Wednesday 22 February. You can read the minutes of the meeting on the SEND Local Offer website.

The board discussed the critical need for early intervention: this means supporting children and young people with SEND as soon as their needs become clear. It means being driven by what is best for children and young people and their families, rather than being driven by a process.

The scale of this challenge means we must commit to action and delivery from all partners involved in the SEND Local Area. This needs to be pragmatic and focused on improving things for children and young people, families and for staff.

Devon SEND Local Area Improvement plan

The latest draft of the improvement plan is with the Department of Education. This plan focuses tightly on the improvements we need to make on the areas identified by the Ofsted and Care Quality Commission inspection.

We want to emphasise that the plan is not set in stone, and that it will change over the coming year as we start making improvements. One crucial element is involving families of children and young people with SEND more. We’ve published a summary of the plan, which includes actions that will ensure that families have a voice, and that these voices are heard.

SEND family engagement sessions in March and April

A graphic asking people to get involved in Devon's SEND improvements

We are inviting all parent carers of children and young people with SEND to join us to discuss how we can improve SEND provision across the local area both now and in the future.

The two-hour sessions are being held in a range of places around Devon in March and April. Click on a location to see more details and book a place:

Unfortunately, we have had to reschedule a session that was initially announced for Monday 13 March in Bishop’s Nympton due to circumstances beyond our control. It will now be held on Monday 24 April from 11am to 1pm.

These sessions are the first set in a series we will hold throughout the year, so if you cannot make one of these, please keep an eye out for future sessions. We are working to produce a webinar for those unable to attend in person.