CHILDREN with special educational needs in Newton Abbot will be helped by a pioneering new ‘hub’ being set up in south Devon.

Education South West, which runs a number of schools in the area, has announced the development of a new service for children needing extra help.

The SEND hub is being established in collaboration with the Dawlish-based Special Partnership Trust and Devon County Council.

This initiative, part of the wider SEND Transformation Programme in Devon, is said to represent a ‘significant step in strengthening inclusive education provision across the county’.

The SEND Hub will serve communities in Newton Abbot, Dartmouth, Totnes, and Kingsbridge, providing ‘dynamic capacity and a comprehensive SEN outreach offer’.

The hub aims to enhance specialist skills, improve system-wide SEND support, and create sustainable local expertise.

It is planned that the ned hub will enable all children and young people with special educational needs to thrive.

Through this initiative, Education South West and Special Partnership Trust will work closely with the local authority to develop and test innovative approaches to SEND support and inclusivity over this year and next year.

The insights gained from this work will shape future expansions of similar SEND Hubs in Exeter and East Devon and North and Mid Devon, ensuring a countywide impact.

Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said: ‘This initiative reflects our unwavering commitment to inclusion and to ensuring every child receives the support they need to succeed.

‘By working in partnership with experts in specialist provision, we can develop a truly integrated support network that benefits children, families, and schools alike.’

More details on how schools and families can access services through the SEND Hub will be shared in the coming months. The first outreach services are expected to launch in May 2025.