Send & Children's Services

Stories about Send & Children's Services

COMMUNITY & SOCIETY

Ofsted finds significant improvements in Devon County Council children’s services

An Ofsted monitoring visit has identified significant improvements in Devon County Council children’s services after a 2025 inspection rated them inadequate in four areas and requiring improvement in another after.

COMMUNITY & SOCIETY

Government to write off most of £200 million Devon SEND services deficit

The government has said it will write off 90% of the SEND services deficit accumulated by Devon County Council to the end of March this year.

Child on park bench

DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE

Ofsted finds Devon County Council children’s services remain “inadequate” with rating unchanged since 2020

Inspection report highlights “serious weaknesses” that are “leaving children at risk of harm” as failings echo poor Special Educational Needs & Disabilities provision.

Devon County Council budget meeting 20 February 2025

DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE

Devon County Council reveals perilous financial state with SEND spending having “significant impact” on cash balances

5.9% budget increase for 2025-26 conceals £22 million cuts and £66 million cost increases with “inevitable” impact on “vital” services.

Bar chart of Devon County Council cumulative SEND deficit 2019-20 to 2031-32 at March 2024 with 2024-25 £14.7 million month eight excess overspend added

DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE

Devon County Council “safety valve” deal target breach rises by 40% to £20.4m as SEND overspend reaches £51.6m

Cumulative SEND deficit now expected to peak at £227m while deal targets set to be missed every year to 2032, risking County Hall bankruptcy if government withdraws support.

Devon County Council Cabinet meeting on 13 November 2024

DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE

2024-25 SEND overspend rises to £45.8m as government “safety valve” deal target breach doubles to £14.7m in two months

County council breaches Local Government Act by failing to publish budget documents in time for scrutiny and cabinet meetings and councillors complain about missing financial information and being “kept in the dark” about SEND delivery.

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