Changes in DCC Children and Young People’s Futures Directorate

Stuart Collins, who was Devon County Councils (DCC) Director of Children and Young People’s Futures since September 2023, has now left and Julian Wooster, who was DCC Interim Director of Children’s Services from January 2023 to September 2023 has returned with immediate effect.

In Education and Learning DCC are changing their approach to be more focused on inclusion and learning. To reflect this, the Education and Learning Service will now be known as the Inclusion and Learning Service.

Keri Denton, the County Council’s Director of Performance and Partnerships, will take the lead in overseeing Education and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and the Safety Valve, and will join the Children’s Leadership Team.

Ceri Morgan who was Interim Deputy Director of Education and Learning left earlier this month. Jack Newton has joined DCC in an interim capacity to lead the development of their Inclusion and Learning Service, building on their ambition to deliver the best outcomes for children and young people.

Kellie Knott, who had been leading SEND transformation on secondment from the Department for Education since July 2023, has now been permanently appointed as DCC SEND Strategic Director.

Phill Adams, has been seconded as SEND Improvement Assistant Director to lead the delivery of the Safety Valve.

DCC await the outcome of Ofsted’s ILAC inspection this term (inspecting local authority services for children) focused mainly on Social Care practices and outcomes.