Devon County Council has said its focus is on improving outcomes for children and young people after a court found in its favour after significant legal challenges related to special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The challenges were raised in relation to Devon County Council and Bristol City Council’s Safety Valve agreements with the Government.
Devon entered into an agreement in March 2024 for an extra £95 million of national funds set aside to reduce the council’s deficit on special needs education. You can read more about it on the news page of the SEND Local Offer website.
Solicitors, representing two of the families that bought the judicial review, argued that the agreements with Devon and Bristol risked undermining legal duties to secure provision under Education, Health and Care Plans and failed to properly assess the impact on disabled children.
The High Court considered the legal challenges at a hearing in Bristol in January and yesterday, Thursday 10 April, dismissed all grounds, ruling against the families.
A spokesperson for Devon County Council said:
“We are pleased with the High Court’s decision and will continue in our ongoing work to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND and their families.”
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