{"id":72585,"date":"2026-02-10T17:47:01","date_gmt":"2026-02-10T17:47:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/children-families-education\/?post_type=dcc_docs_document&#038;p=72585"},"modified":"2026-03-26T16:59:25","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T16:59:25","slug":"send-strategic-partnership-minutes-27-jan-2026","status":"publish","type":"dcc_docs_document","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/children-families-education\/document\/send-strategic-partnership-minutes-27-jan-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"SEND Strategic Partnership Board minutes &#8211; 27 January 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column doc-aside is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\">\n<aside class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#attendance\">Attendance<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#apologies\">Apologies<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#1-welcome-introductions-and-apologies\">1. Welcome, introductions and apologies<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#2-review-of-previous-meeting-minutes-and-actions\">2. Vision for Board &#8211; Andre Imich<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#3-customer-service-centre-send-statutory-service-calls\">3. Our approach as a system on responding to DofE letter on self-assessment \u2013 Andre Imich, Kellie Knott<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#5-send-transformation-programme-progress-report\">4. Progress update and reflections of SEF and SEND inspection preparation \u2013 Kellie Knott, Brian Gale, Mark Tucker<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#5-app-accelerated-progress-plan-monitoring-meeting\">5. Dates and locations of forthcoming meetings<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#df-e-nhse-agreed-delivery-targets\">6. AOB<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n<\/aside>\n\n\n\t<div class=\"dcc-documents-cpt-fixed dccdocs-sticky dccdocs-hidden\">\r\n    <div class=\"grid-container\">\r\n        <div class=\"grid-x grid-margin-x\">\r\n            <div class=\"cell medium-12\">\r\n                <a class=\"back-to-top hide-for-print\" href=\"#content\"><svg class=\"app-c-back-to-top__icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"13\" height=\"17\" viewBox=\"0 0 13 17\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M6.5 0L0 6.5 1.4 8l4-4v12.7h2V4l4.3 4L13 6.4z\"><\/path><\/svg> Contents<\/a>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column doc-content is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:75%\">\n<article class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"attendance\">Attendance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Andre Imich, Independent Chair<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Alison Brooks, Strategic Advisor (minutes)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Amy Carey-Jones, Information Advice &amp; Support Lead, DiAS<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Amy Bickford, SEND Participation Lead, Devon County Council<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Brian Gale, SEND Adviser, DfE<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Councillor Denise Bickley, Cabinet member for SEND, Devon County Council<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dan Harris, Head of Financial Systems &amp; Processes, Devon County Council<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Donna Manson, Chief Executive, Devon County Council<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Jack Newton, Deputy Director &#8211; Education and Schools, Devon County Council<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Julia Bonell, Co-chair of Parent Carer Forum Devon (PCFD)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Kellie Knott, SEND Strategic Director, Devon County Council<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lauren Davies, Children and Family Health Devon<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lucy Eyre, Interim Deputy Head of Service, Children and Family Health Devon<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maddie Hayden, Communications and Engagement Lead, Devon County Council<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mark Tucker, Senior Learning Disability and Autism Programme Assurance Manager and SEND Lead NHS England and NHS Improvement South West, NHS England<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mark Vickers, Chief Executive Officer, Olive Academies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Melanie Coleman, Programme Manager for SEND Transformation Programme, Devon County Council<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mohammed Jamal, DfE Case Lead<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Penny Smith, ICB Chief Nurse, NHS Devon<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sally Heath, Deputy Director of Transformation &amp; Business Services, Devon County Council<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Steve Brown, Director of Public Health, Devon County Council<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Su Smart, Director of Women and Children&#8217;s Improvement, NHS Devon<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Victoria Mitchell, Co-chair of Parent Carer Forum Devon (PCFD)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Victoria Smith, Parent Forum Co-Chair (PCFD)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"apologies\">Apologies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Councillor Frank Biederman, Cabinet member, Devon County Council<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hannah Smart, Executive Headteacher, Devon Special Schools<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Julian Wooster, Director of Children and Young People&#8217;s Futures, Devon County Council<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Natalie Wickins, Care Group Director &#8211; Women&#8217;s Agreement and Children, NHS Devon<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rachel Shaw, CEO Exeter Learning Academy Trust<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tandra Forster, Director of Integrated Adult Social Care, Devon County Council<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-welcome-introductions-and-apologies\">1. Welcome, introductions and apologies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Chair welcomed all attendees and thanked members for their flexibility regarding the revised schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-review-of-previous-meeting-minutes-and-actions\">2. Vision for Board &#8211; Andre Imich<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Focus on <strong>all<\/strong> children and young people for whom Devon is responsible.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Emphasis on collective responsibility and strengthened partnership working.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Need for well structured, purposeful meetings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cultural change is essential; structural change is quicker than behavioural change.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Parent Carer Forum representatives stressed the importance of understanding and practicing effective coproduction.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The cancelled coproduction workshop will be rearranged.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Actions:<\/strong> Chair (AI) to reschedule the coproduction workshop at a suitable date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-customer-service-centre-send-statutory-service-calls\">3. Our approach as a system on responding to DofE letter on self-assessment \u2013 Andre Imich, Kellie Knott<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Key points discussed:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>All local areas asked by DfE and NHS England to undertake the assessment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Assessment covers <strong>seven pillars<\/strong> and requires rating as Emerging, Developing,  Maturing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Will inform national support to Devon, not serve as a judgement tool.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Group session proposed to work through pillars and reach provisional ratings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Need to use existing SEF evidence to avoid duplication.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensure alignment with the NHS England Quality Assurance Framework.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Importance of reflecting current improvements and forward direction.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/article>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Decisions:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A dedicated Board session will be held to work through the seven pillars.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pre-reading and mapped evidence will be prepared.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Actions:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<article class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>MC \/ KK \/ AI<\/strong> \u2013 Schedule and coordinate a 1-1.5 hr online maturity assessment session.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>MC<\/strong> \u2013-Prepare pre-reading and map existing SEF evidence against the seven pillars for circulation before the session.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-send-transformation-programme-progress-report\">4. Progress update and reflections of SEF and SEND inspection preparation \u2013 Kellie Knott, Brian Gale, Mark Tucker<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Key points discussed:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Need for balanced narrative: recognise progress as well as challenges.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Data must reflect the whole cohort, not subsets.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Inconsistent family experience remains a concern.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Risk of overstating progress before families feel the impact.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consider additional feedback mechanisms beyond formal complaints.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Communication with families highlighted as a notable weakness.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Decisions:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>SEF requires refinement to better balance strengths and challenges.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Actions:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>All Board Members<\/strong> &#8211;<strong> <\/strong>Provide feedback to Kellie within two weeks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>KK<\/strong> &#8211; Produce revised SEF with stronger evidence base and balanced messaging.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-app-accelerated-progress-plan-monitoring-meeting\">5. Dates and locations of forthcoming meetings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Key points discussed:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Meeting on 2 September clashes with school term start.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Broad agreement to move the meeting to a more suitable date.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Interest in holding some meetings in schools or health settings, but only where engagement with children and young people is purposeful.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Decision:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>September meeting to be <strong>pushed back by a week<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Potential new venues to be considered; proposals to return to Board.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Actions:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>MC<\/strong> \u2013 Change September meeting date and circulate revised invite.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>AI<\/strong> \u2013 Explore suitable alternative meeting locations and bring proposals to a future meeting.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/article>\n\n\n\n<article class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"df-e-nhse-agreed-delivery-targets\">6. AOB<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Key messages from meeting to be circulated (not minuted in detail).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>SEND inspection preparation sessions noted.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Date for next meeting<\/strong>: Tuesday 10 March 2026<\/p>\n<\/article>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"document-meta-acf-block clearfix \" id=\"block_acf-block-69c565ea62b9e\"><div class=\" dcc-documents-meta\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget dcc-documents-widget-block\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget-box2\"><p class=\"dcc-documents-published\"><span>Published<\/span> <time datetime=\"2026-02-10T17:47:01+00:00\">10\/02\/2026 5:47pm<\/time><\/p><p class=\"dcc-documents-updated\"><span>Last Updated<\/span> <time datetime=\"2026-02-10T17:41:16+00:00\">10\/02\/2026 5:41pm<\/time><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Attendance Apologies 1. Welcome, introductions and apologies The Chair welcomed all attendees and thanked members for their flexibility regarding the revised schedule. 2. Vision for [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":981,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"documents_category":[],"class_list":["post-72585","dcc_docs_document","type-dcc_docs_document","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"updated":"","dccdocs_documents":null,"section-guidance":"","sections":null},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/children-families-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/documents\/72585","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/children-families-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/documents"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/children-families-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/dcc_docs_document"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/children-families-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/981"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/children-families-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/documents\/72585\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":73794,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/children-families-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/documents\/72585\/revisions\/73794"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/children-families-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=72585"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"dcc_docs_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/children-families-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/documents_category?post=72585"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}