SEND Funding and the Future of Devon's Libraries
Time is Running Out
Sent to Devon County Council
Cllr Bickley (SEND) and Cllr Cottle-Hunkin (Libraries)

I am a Northam resident, and writing to you as a supporter of Northam Library Action Group, as well as on behalf of ...Torridge and Tavistock Constituency Labour Party and Exeter& Devon Co-operative Party.

You will probably already be aware that Secretary of State Bridget Phillipson announced last month that councils must provide plans to demonstrate how SEND services will be enhanced in order to access additional £millions of targeted funding.

From the Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/.../councils-in-england-must...
''Councils in England will have to set out plans to create more places in local mainstream schools for children with special educational needs and disabilities as a condition of receiving a share of £860m in new government funding.
Authorities must submit their written plans to the Department for Education (DfE) outlining how they will enable more pupils with Send to attend their local school and reduce the number of children travelling long distances for their education.
Schools will be expected to use the cash to create more inclusive spaces – such as specially adapted rooms to support children with autism or ADHD who may feel overstimulated in the classroom and require a special sensory environment.
Local Send plans will have to be submitted to officials by June 2026, with payments released in autumn 2026 if they are approved. If councils propose to invest in more places in special schools, they will be expected to set out why this best meets local Send needs''.

Since DCC would have only weeks to respond. Would you please confirm that those plans are well advanced, if not already completed
Also, given the uncertainty still surrounding the future of Devon's highly valued Library Service and Librarians this is actually a wonderful opportunity for some joined up, and highly transformative government.

It has been well established that all young children benefit in very many ways - including attainment - from becoming early readers. Further, that the rising occurrence of SEND need could be reduced, and/or mitigated, by early and sustained access to specialist support and resources. In addition, Devon has a relatively high percentage of 'home educated' children to consider.

Please would you take this opportunity Cllr Bickley, to liaise and work with Cllr Cottle-Hunkin in order to produce an enhanced and integrated SEND/ Library Service across Devon, offering better access to specialist support and facilities within schools, as well as in the community.
A further benefit to ensuring that Libraries are secured, professionally staffed and open for longer with enhanced specialist facilities, would be regarding the role of parents also directly benefiting from this enhanced service. More confident, supported and literate parents can only benefit the progress of their children.

We know DCC has already recently received very considerable financial support from Central Government, with more in the pipeline, but only if you can make appropriate SEND proposals by the deadline.
Would you please confirm specifically that DCC will place the enhancement of library services, with the employment of additional specialist trained librarians, as a centre-piece of those SEND proposals.

Importantly, this cannot wait for the completion of your lengthy 'consultation' if that means missing the deadline to secure the extra SEND funding.

Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to your response.
My regards,
Des Rose
Political Education Officer, Torridge and Tavistock CLP
Chair, Exeter & Devon Co-operative Party/
Member - Fabian Education Policy Group

In my capacity as Womens and EDI officer, I recently wrote to Devon County Council objecting to the proposed cuts to our library services from a SEND and home education perspective. I'm a neurodivergent mother of an Autist who volunteers at a specialist SEND school so I've got skin in the... game. I'd like to see a more joined up approach to library, home education and SEND services. Scroll the images to read the letter in full. Any suggestions for alternative and additional uses for our libraries to keep them open and thriving are very welcome. Emma

@followers Save Devon’s Libraries Devon Labour Libraries Unlimited Devon County Council

What Are DCC Waiting For ?
They are Now Awash with £m's from OUR LABOUR Government for SEND and LIBRARY Support - No More EXCUSES

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