Family Experience of SEND Services in Devon: 2026 Survey Now Open
Parent Carer Forum Devon is inviting parent carers across the county to take part in our Family Experience of SEND Services Survey. Your responses will help us build a clearer, more honest picture of what children and young people with SEND experience on a daily basis — from early identification and assessments through to school life, community participation and preparation for adulthood.
This survey is fully anonymous and takes around 10–15 minutes to complete.
If you have more than one child with SEND, you can complete it once for each child.
Why your voice matters
This survey is based on the Ofsted/CQC Local Area SEND Inspection framework, which looks at how well the local area identifies, assesses, and supports children and young people with SEND. By using the same structure, your feedback helps us highlight strengths, gaps and challenges in a way that directly connects to how Devon will be judged during the next inspection.
Watch this Simple information about Ofsted/CQC Local Area SEND Inspections and what this looks like in Devon
Your responses help us understand:
- how early and accurately children’s needs are identified
- whether families feel listened to and involved
- how well support is planned and delivered
- where delays or barriers exist
- how included children feel in school and in their community
- how well transitions are supported
- how confident families feel in local leadership and communication
- whether children’s safety and wellbeing are protected
We use your insight in our conversations with Devon County Council, the NHS, schools, and Ofsted — ensuring that lived experience is at the centre of local improvement work.
What the survey covers
The survey is organised into nine key areas:
1. About your child or young person
A quick overview of your child’s needs so we can better understand patterns and experiences across the county.
2. Identification & Assessment
Whether needs were recognised early, assessments were explained clearly, and your child’s strengths were considered.
3. Participation & Voice
How well your family — and your child — are listened to. This includes involvement in decisions and access to advice when needed.
4. Support & Timeliness
Whether the right help is offered at the right time, including support while waiting and how services work together.
5. Inclusion & Belonging
Your child’s experience in school, college and the community, and how included they feel in everyday activities.
6. Transitions & Preparing for Adulthood
How well major transitions are handled, and whether your child is being supported to build independence.
7. Leadership, Communication & Trust
How confident families feel in the people leading SEND services — and whether decisions are explained clearly.
8. Safeguarding & Wellbeing
Whether your child feels safe, understood, and supported in the settings they use.
9. Final reflections
A space for anything else you’d like to tell us about your experiences.
Who should take part?
✔ Parent carers of children and young people aged 0–25
✔ Living in the Devon County Council area
✔ With or without a diagnosis
✔ In any school, college, or home‑education setting
Whether your experience has been positive, negative, or mixed — your voice matters.
How your feedback is used
What you share will:
- shape our priorities as the Parent Carer Forum
- strengthen our co‑production work with the local authority and NHS
- highlight urgent issues for senior leaders
- support our conversations with Ofsted and the CQC
- help us present a transparent picture of the SEND system in Devon
Every response contributes to a stronger, clearer understanding of what families are experiencing right now.
Take the survey
👉 Start the survey here: https://forms.office.com/e/zcjT0GCVbW
Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences.
Your honesty helps us champion meaningful change for children and young people with SEND in Devon.
