Devon Children’s Services and our partners provide a range of services and support to disabled children, young people and those with special educational needs (SEND), either directly to the child or young person on to their family.
We know it can be difficult at times to understand how your needs or those of your child could be met, and what the right pathway for an assessment is. Our pathways to assessment guidance provides clarity on the types of assessments available, and when each one might be considered the right assessment pathway for a child, young person or their family, based on their presenting needs.
The guidance does not replace our levels of need information, but aims to help you understand the broader context and rationale for these assessments, including the legislative and local drivers that underpin the service’s responsibilities to promote the welfare, safety, and inclusion of disabled children within the community.
A detailed explanation of the various types of assessments available is included, to ensure that families receive the right support at the right time, tailored to their unique circumstances. This builds on the importance of early help, describing when this approach is suitable, and what support can be offered without escalation to targeted early help or statutory services. This structured yet flexible process is part of our ongoing commitment to thoughtful, compassionate support. It ensures that all assessments and decisions are made with the best interests of disabled children and their families at the forefront, fostering an environment where families are listened to, empowered, and actively involved in shaping the support they receive.
To find out more, see our full Pathways to assessment guidance