Devon County Council has published the findings of transformative project to reshape the county’s approach to supporting children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
The landmark report has been developed with national experts Genuine Partnerships, who, through focus groups, surveys, and a large-scale co-production event, listened to the lived experiences of parents, carers, and young people with SEND and their hopes, and challenges of navigating the SEND system.
It presents a deeply honest and often emotional account of SEND services in Devon, including long waits for support, inconsistent communication, and a lack of joined-up working.
The report also highlights areas of strength, such as the kindness and empathy shown by individual practitioners, the growing role of parent carer ambassador volunteers in schools, and examples of inclusive practice that have made a real difference to families.
By bringing together practitioners from across education, health, and care sectors in Devon with the families who depend on their service, there’s been a collective reflection on what is working, what is not, and what must change.
Shared priorities for action have been agreed, including the need to build trust and positive relationships across services and reduce the trauma caused by navigating complex systems. And a new co-designed approach to working in partnership, rooted in empathy, equity, and genuine collaboration, will ensure the voices of all children and young people, and their families, are heard and valued.
At the heart of the report are the Four Cornerstones – welcome and care; value and include; communicate, and partnership. These principles are guiding the cultural shift required to improve the experiences and outcomes for children and young people with SEND in Devon.
They offer a clear blueprint for change, and Devon County Council is now working with families to use these values to drive decisive action. A co-produced plan is being developed with clear responsibilities, timelines, and ways to measure progress. Along with the creation of an Oversight Committee, made up of parent carers and practitioners, and the appointment of a dedicated Cornerstones Partner, it marks a significant cultural shift to rebuild trust between families and services in Devon.
Councillor Denise Bickley, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for SEND, said:
“This report is not just a document, it’s a declaration of intent.
“It’s a raw, honest, and hopeful account of what it means to navigate SEND services in Devon, and what must happen next.
“The powerful stories it contains remind us that behind every policy is a person. They are evidence of a system that has, for too long, failed to recognise the humanity at its heart.
“It acknowledges that co-production is messy, dynamic and ongoing, requiring time, trust and tenacity. It recognises that trust, once broken, takes time to rebuild.
“And it urges action from all partners to invest in relationships, to support parent carers as strategic partners, and to ensure that children and young people have a role in shaping their future by working with them to create a system where they can truly thrive.
“I will make sure we continue listening, learning, and working with families and young people to create a system that truly values every voice.
“The real test will be whether families feel the difference in their everyday life.”
