Local Area Partnership Feedback
8 July 2026
This report reviews progress made by the Torbay SEND Local Area Partnership since the SEND inspection. It looks at work across education, health and care services and highlights both improvements and areas that still need attention.
Key improvements
- stronger partnership working and leadership across services
- improved quality of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)
- more specialist support and education provision for children and young people with SEND
- better support for young people preparing for adulthood, including education and employment pathways
- reduced waiting times for some mental health services and improved support while families wait for services
Areas for further improvement
- reducing delays in issuing EHCPs
- reducing exclusions for children and young people with SEND
- reducing waiting times for autism assessments and speech and language therapy
- improving communication, co-production and relationships with parent carers
The partnership will now focus on demonstrating the impact of these improvements on children, young people and their families.
Read the full report letter from 23 March 2023
Deep Dive final feedback
25 August 2026
This report provides feedback from a Department for Education and NHS England review of progress made by the Torbay SEND Local Area Partnership. It focuses on improving multi-agency working, Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), reducing exclusions, and helping young people prepare for adulthood. The review found that the partnership is making good progress and is well placed for its future monitoring inspection.
Key improvements
- stronger joint working across education, health and care services
- increased use of the graduated response in schools, supported by training, advice and specialist services
- improved quality assurance processes for EHCPs, leading to better quality plans
- better performance in completing EHCP reviews and improved timeliness of new plans
- reduced suspension and exclusion rates in secondary schools, with targeted support for schools and pupils at risk of exclusion
- stronger support for young people moving into adult health and social care services
- more opportunities for education, training and employment, with fewer young people not in education, employment or training (NEET)
Areas for further improvement
- continue improving the health, social care and provision sections of EHCPs
- demonstrate the impact of work to reduce exclusions, particularly for children and young people with EHCPs
- strengthen evidence of how services work together to support children at risk of missing education
- make sure families can easily find information about support and pathways through the SEND Local Offer
The report concludes that the partnership has made good progress and should now focus on demonstrating the difference these improvements are making for children, young people and families.
Read the full Deep Dive report letter from 25 August 2026
