Devon recognised for SEND pathfinder work
Representatives from Devon have spent a day talking to central government about how services for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) should be delivered in the future.
Invited to an All Party Parliamentary Committee, Devon representatives spent an hour detailing their work to help develop and implement a radical new approach to services for children.
The government’s ambition is to create a system that provides children and young people with individual education, health and care plans from birth to the age of 25 that supports better life outcomes for young people, gives parents more confidence through greater control, and transfers power to frontline professionals and local communities. Devon is one of 21 pathfinder areas selected to pilot the proposed changes.
Devon County Council and NHS Devon have proposed that any child or young person with additional needs will have a single education, health and care plan from birth to 25 years old. This will replace the multiple referrals and assessments that families currently often experience, through services such as early years settings, schools, GPs or the social care system.
Instead, children with a range of special educational, health and care needs and their families will undertake an integrated assessment process, which, alongside their own personal budget, will give them access to, and choice of, a range of bespoke services that best meet their individual needs. These could be occupational therapy, behaviour support, respite care and special educational support and other services, all arranged through one central process.
Members of the All Party Parliamentary Committee were impressed with the work Devon has completed so far and were particularly interested in work around the assessment process and ensuring families are fully involved in decision making.
Councillor Andrea Davis, Devon County Council's lead member for Health and Children, said: "I’m so pleased that Devon was asked to speak to this committee and has been recognised for the pathfinder work we have completed so far.
"A single plan will give children with even the most complex needs a simple pathway to this support, and the freedom to for their families to find what works best for them. It will also ensure a smoother transition from children's to adults' services at a time of greater stability in their lives.
"The findings from the pathfinder pilot authorities will help form legislation which will have a positive change for young people and their families for many years to come.”
