The Challenges
Devon has more children requiring support for SEN than anywhere else in the UK. Special Education Needs encompasses a broad spectrum of social, emotional and mental mental health support needs, speech, language and communication needs, Autistic spectrum conditions and learning difficulties
 
The children and families we support are currently facing a wide range of challenges and obstacles to support including: child poverty, social isolation, long waiting lists to access mental health support, a lack of access to SEND support and outdoor education opportunities during school time and after school meaning many children are not receiving the support they need to thrive in their lives.
 
The Children we work with have the following support needs:
- High levels of trauma in children aged 4+
- Anxiety, depression, self harm and potential suicide or suicidal ideation in children as young as 5
- Child poverty and associated health inequalities
- Social Isolation and broken family ties
- Nature deficit disorder and a lack of access to free play or activities outside of school
 
Parents and carers regularly inform us of a lack of specialist support for children with Special education needs both in school, for those not able to engage at school, and beyond the classroom on weekends and school holidays and are continually asking for more of our support. Grant funders are often unwilling to fund term time activities leaving these children largely under-supported.