Devon Children’s Services Grapple with Budget Overruns, Ofsted Report Delay, and Leadership Departure

Children’s services in Devon are currently grappling with a multitude of significant challenges, including substantial financial deficits, a postponed Ofsted inspection report, and the resignation of the departmental head. In March, a government financial aid package totaling £95 million, referred to as the “safety valve” agreement, was declared with the stated aim to “put the authority on a sustainable financial footing.” According to a report scheduled for upcoming discussion, Devon County Council has already exceeded its budget by nearly £15 million within a six-month period. Advocacy groups asserted that the service lacked adequate funding, resulting in children and families bearing the consequences. The Conservative-led council stated it was experiencing heightened demand for children’s education, health, and care plans, alongside rising expenses for service provision. Devon’s children’s services were deemed “inadequate” in January 2020, as education inspector Ofsted identified “serious failures in the services provided to children and young people.” Elaine Davis-Kimble, representing the campaign organization Devon SEND Parents and Carers for Change, commented that services for young people and children had endured years of underinvestment. She stated: “Under the safety valve scheme, councils are being forced to cut education, health and care plans, and cram more and more young people with the most complex needs into mainstream schools.” “This is forcing more and more parents and carers to have to educate their children at home, meaning they can no longer work.” Ms. Davis-Kimble noted that families were expending “thousands of pounds each year for tutors and resources,” a situation she described as “forcing families into financial ruin.” She remarked: “The impact on whole families and their mental health is horrific.” Liberal Democrat councillor Alistair Dewhirst reported “radio silence” concerning the findings of the most recent Ofsted inspection, which took place during the first week of October. An Ofsted review conducted in April 2013 determined that the council was “inadequate for how effective child protection services are.” Dewhirst commented: “During that whole time, Ofsted think children in Devon are not safe.” He added: “The real concern is that government will take over running children’s services because they don’t believe that after 11 years it’s getting any better.” Devon County Council stated it had not yet received a preliminary report subsequent to the most recent inspection. Ofsted indicated its standard practice was to disseminate reports to local authorities 22 working days after inspectors concluded their fieldwork, but acknowledged that various elements could influence the publication schedule. Devon County Council reported that educational health and care plans now incur an average cost of £16,600, representing an increase of £666 per plan, attributed to inflation. The council further noted that the heightened demand for services in Devon reflected a national trend. A spokesperson for the council verified that Stuart Collins was departing from his position as head of children’s services to assume a role at Croydon Council. The council asserted that the alterations within the senior management team were “unrelated to the Ofsted inspection” and were “designed to help us deliver our priorities and to continue our journey of improvement.” Readers can follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook, and Instagram, and submit story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding its approach to external linking is available.