As part of the Beacon scheme, Devon is offering courses on "Evidence Based Practice". The Beacon Scheme was introduced in 1999 to identify centres of excellence in local government from which others can learn. Authorities are appointed as Beacons on the strength of excellence in the delivery of specified services, supported by good overall performance and effective plans for dissemination.
Devon County Council was one of six local authority's road safety teams that achieved Beacon status in 2006. All six have proven success in road safety and will now share how they work with their communities as part of the dissemination programme. Beacon awards are made by ministers following a rigorous application and selection process, overseen by the Independent Advisory Panel on Beacon Councils.
The Beacon authorities are all able to demonstrate strong progress towards the 2010 national targets for reducing the numbers of people killed or seriously injured on roads in their areas. These achievements have been reached by good working with local communities and also in a range of different ways that will be very useful for other local authorities to use, emulate or modify for their own casualty reduction activities.
For further information: I&deA
Devon's Application for Beacon Status in Road Safety
The following files illustrate the 3 stages of the Beacon application process, and provide an insight into the basis on which the Devon application was made.
Stage 1 was a brief, written application
Devon's Initial Application 
(139KB - pdf help)
Stage 2 involved a formal visit by the Beacon Assessment Panel. During the 3 hour appraisal they received formal presentations (available here for download) and also free access to key personnel, partners and clients. During these discussions they explored the practical ways in which Devon organises, resources and delivers road safety services to the County.
Setting the scene (153KB - pdf help)
Factors Underpinning Our Application (2.06MB - pdf help)
How we meet the Criteria for Beacon Excellence (311KB - pdf help)
Motorcycle Safety _ our case study (2.66MB - pdf help)
Meeting Our Commitments for Rolling Out Excellence (193KB - pdf help)
Beacon Presentation Summary (154KB - pdf help)
Stage 3 was a visit by 6 officers from Devon County Council to I&DeA for a formal interview, preceded by a short presentation. The interview enabled the Beacon Assessment Panel to explore in more depth the work of Devon Road Safety and Travel Awareness Team, and to examine further any issues raised during their visit to Devon.
Final Presentation to Beacon Panel 06 (3.48MB - pdf help)
Since gaining Beacon status our Case Study has been updated to show further progress in our work on Motorcycle Casualty Reduction.
Updated Beacon Case Study (144KB - pdf help)
If you need any further information on Devon's Road Safety Beacon work please contact the Road Safety Operations Manager, Jeremy Phillips.
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