Between 23 and 25 May 2022, Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) revisited the Devon Local Area to decide whether sufficient improvement had been made in each of the areas of significant weakness found in their inspection in December 2018. Ofsted and CQC concluded Devon Local Area is not doing well enough for children and young people and their families.
The Devon Local Area SEND Accelerated Progress Plan (APP) 2023-2024 is intended to focus specifically on improvements in four areas of weakness as set out in the inspection findings:
- The fact that strategic plans and the local area’s SEND arrangements are not embedded or widely understood by stakeholders, including schools, settings, staff, and parents.
- The significant concerns that were reported about communication with key stakeholders, particularly with parents and families.
- The time it takes to issue Education, Health, and Care (EHC) plans and the variable quality of these plans.
- Weaknesses in the identification, assessment, diagnosis and support of those children and young people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
The SEND Improvement Partnership Board is responsible for delivering the APP. The Department for Education and NHS England will monitor their progress.
The APP is part of the wider SEND transformation programme in Devon. It was previously published as the Devon SEND Local Area Improvement Plan in February 2023. We have simplified the plan, with the agreement of the Department for Education and NHS England, and republished it using its official title so it is easier for people to find.
The 2022 SEND inspection report
Ofsted and the CQC carried out a joint re-visit of the Devon Local Area in May 2022 following the previous inspection that took place in December 2018. The re-visit evaluated how effectively leaders have addressed the areas of significant weaknesses detailed in the Written Statement of Action (WSOA).
Inspectors met with children and young people with SEND, parents and carers, special educational needs and disabilities coordinators (SENDCos) and educational settings. They also met with staff from Devon County Council and NHS Devon.
As a result of the inspection, Devon County Council and NHS Devon were issued an improvement notice to make improvements in the four areas of significant weakness identified.