Devon’s SEND Local Offer

We will develop better ways of working

“The right service and support should be provided in a timely fashion and be flexible to meet the changing needs as the child grows. There should be a range of support for everyone who needs it so that no-one is dismissed because they ‘don’t reach threshold’ or are ‘too complex.”

– A parent

We are committed to a more joined up system that doesn’t keep passing children and young people and their families around or referring them on​

When this is achieved, you will see:​

  • that families can navigate the system successfully from early years to adulthood​
  • every service playing their part in supporting children and young people and ensuring that they don’t just pass on to the next service​
  • families experience high quality planning and provision from the most appropriate services​

We are committed to providing helpful support when children and young people are waiting for a service​

When this is achieved, you will see:​

  • that children and young people and their families know what’s available to support them while they’re waiting for assessment​
  • an effective parent peer network​

We are committed to improving the Education, Health and Care Assessments and Reviews to ensure better experiences and outcomes​

When this is achieved, you will see:​

  • early and proactive action which prevents escalation of children’s needs​
  • good quality and quantified Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) which are clear, easy to understand and are driven by children’s voices​
  • an increase in collaborative working with parents, carers, children and young people to coproduce plans​

We are committed to strengthening the partnership with parent carers and professionals, alongside schools and the community so that children and young people’s needs are met at the earliest possible opportunity​

When this is achieved, you will see:​

  • that services work together seamlessly to provide support for children and young people and their families​
  • that schools are effectively delivering Ordinarily Available Inclusive Provision (OAIP) that meets children’s needs
  • that families feedback a positive experience of the system

We will measure our performance against these commitments using:​​​

  • ​​​feedback from children and young people
  • feedback from parents and carers​
  • an increase in the number of EHCPs issued within 20 weeks​
  • reduction in complaints received about SEND​
  • reduction in appeals to the SEND Tribunal​
  • reduction in waiting times for autism assessment

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