Torbay’s SEND Pledge was co-produced in 2022 with children, young people, families, and carers, and officially launched in February 2023. It reflects what matters most in how services communicate and work with families, and forms part of Torbay’s wider commitment to relational and restorative practice. The pledge outlines six promises: to be honest, kind, fair, thoughtful, caring, and friendly.
The pledge was shaped by feedback from families who told us that how professionals speak and behave has a direct impact on how supported and understood they feel. It aligns with Torbay’s wider vision for SEND and the principles of the Language That Cares campaign—placing empathy, clarity, and respect at the heart of service delivery.
Despite its positive intentions, we know the pledge is not consistently being followed or embedded in practice. This engagement event is not a consultation—we already know the gaps. Instead, it’s a space to come together and explore how we can embed the pledge meaningfully into everyday work across services.
We’ll be asking:
· What’s getting in the way of implementation?
· How can we build a robust and relational sign-up process?
· What would help practitioners and partners live the pledge in their daily interactions?
Event Details:
Target Audience: Families
If you would like to attend in your professional role, please go to: Practitioner Booking
If you’re attending with a lived experience perspective and would benefit from any support to help you participate fully, please feel free to contact rebecca.rushton@torbay.gov.uk to talk through what might help. This support is intended for individuals attending in a non-professional capacity.
We’re also happy to cover travel expenses and other reasonable costs to support your involvement.
