Councillors have received powerful feedback from parents and carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities following a virtual session held last month by Devon County Council’s Children’s Scrutiny Committee.
The session was convened to hear directly from families and professionals about their experiences of the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) system and to gather practical insight to support future improvements.
Cllr Frank Biederman, Chair of the Committee, said:
“The session was about listening, openly and honestly. The experiences shared were heartfelt, at times difficult, and incredibly valuable. We are grateful to every parent and professional who gave their time and their trust.”
Parents described challenges including delays beyond the statutory 20‑week EHCP timeframe, inconsistent communication, and feeling that their views and those of school SENCos were not always recognised.
Some spoke about lengthy complaints, mediation and tribunal processes, explaining the emotional and financial strain this had placed on their families.
Suggestions to improve families’ experiences included clearer, step‑by‑step guidance on the EHCP process; named contacts with timely updates; better explanations behind decisions; and more consistent and compliant EHCPs supported by ongoing staff training.
Parents also praised the Council’s trauma‑informed Bridges Team and suggested its approach could be adopted more widely.
A SENCo attending the session highlighted the significant amount of time schools spend completing paperwork linked to complaints and tribunals, which can reduce their capacity to provide direct support to children.
They stressed that better early communication and partnership working with families could help ease this pressure and lead to improved outcomes.
Parents also raised concerns about the suitability of some school buildings and the varied quality of SEND provision across the county. Several emphasised the need for more innovative approaches to teaching and learning styles to meet a broader range of needs.
Cllr Denise Bickley, Cabinet Member for services supporting young people with SEND, said:
“Families were clear about what needs to improve, and we are listening. Their feedback will guide our work as we continue strengthening the SEND system and building more positive, trusting relationships with parents.”
