Councillor Denise Bickley, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), has welcomed the publication of the government’s education and SEND white paper, Every Child Achieving and Thriving.
The white paper sets out the government’s plans to improve outcomes for children and young people. This includes children with SEND and their families.
Councillor Bickley said the publication is an important step forward. It recognises the scale of the challenge facing the SEND system and the need for long‑term reform.
She welcomed the white paper’s focus on earlier support for children, clearer national standards, and stronger partnership working between education, health and care services.
She also welcomed the emphasis on inclusion and building workforce capacity, including plans to recruit more teachers.
Councillor Bickley said councils have long called for these priorities and are ready to play their part in delivering change.
Councillor Denise Bickley said:
“The publication of this white paper is a positive step. It clearly recognises the pressures facing the SEND system and the need to improve outcomes for children and young people.
“The focus on earlier intervention is welcome. Supporting children sooner can make a real difference to their lives and reduce the need for more intensive support later on.
“Clearer national standards and stronger joint working between education, health and care services are also important. Families need greater consistency and confidence, wherever they live.
“The white paper’s commitment to inclusion and workforce growth, including recruiting more teachers, is encouraging. These are essential foundations for a stronger system.
“Teachers need to be allowed to teach – and be respected for the knowledge and experience they bring to their role. Teaching assistants need to be recognised for the vital role they play in schools. We will see how the white paper, as it moves through consultation, addresses this.
“There is an obvious desire from schools and families for smaller class sizes and parents will want reassurance that funding will be sufficient to allow this – although if schools are given the tools to pool funding and work collaboratively, as laid out in the plans, this may well free up funding for complete reorganisation and innovative planning.
“I agree that all children should be stretched, as long as that is a comfortable, encouraging stretch and not pressured – but I am concerned about the suggestion of more statutory testing, now at Year 8.
“In general I like the tone of the paper; that it is a long term ambition with early help and collaboration at its heart. This is shared by Devon County Council.
“We are committed to working constructively with ministers, partners and families as these proposals are taken forward. With the right funding and long‑term planning, this reform has the potential to deliver a more stable and sustainable education system that works better for all children, families and schools.”
