Children and young people.

Children and young people (CYP) up to 18 years old make up one-fifth of the UK’s population. We commission a range of services for children and young people across the county of Devon, including:

We want all children and young people in Devon to have the best start in life, growing up in loving and supportive families and being happy, healthy and safe. The One Devon Five Year Joint Forward Plan 2025-2030 holds our vision,

to create an Integrated System and Care Model for Children and Young People (CYP) that supports all aspects of their health, emotional wellbeing and mental health, so that they can make good future progress through school and life. Our work spans from birth, through transition to young adults. We will work effectively in an integrated and equitable way within and across health, care and education and will achieve this by sharing information, jointly commissioning services (where appropriate), providing access to care, advice and knowledge, and adopting a strength-based approach.

Devon will see:

Inclusive, accessible and sustainable services and settings where children can learn and achieve their potential in life.

Children and Young People’s Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Services

Developed by NHS Devon working with partners, providers and children and young people, our strategy for Children and Young People’s Emotional and Mental Health and Wellbeing Services sets out our priorities and plans to transform the support and services offered to children and young people by 2030.  Read our strategy for Children and Young People’s Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health here

Devon CYP Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Strategy v8 – FINALDownload

Neurodiversity

The MyHealth Devon website, which has been co-produced with clinical colleagues, parent/carers and young people has been designed as a ‘one stop shop’ for key information relating to neurodiversity both locally and nationally. 

MyHealth provides trusted information, advice and guidance for people living in Devon, Torbay and Plymouth, including a range of resources, videos, and information about what is available.  There is also information for those thinking of paying for private health or support   We will continue to develop MyHealth with input from parents/carers and young people to ensure it remains user friendly and up to date.

Read our strategy for Children and Young People’s Neurodiversity, 0-25 years here

One Devon Neurodiversity Strategy Version 7Download

Read our strategy for Children and Young People’s Speech, Language and Communication Needs, (SLCN), 0-25 Years, here

One Devon SLCN strategy v2 (17)Download

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

Local councils, the NHS and other organisations collaborate to provide education, health, social care services and other types of support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) from birth to 25 years old.  You can find details of each area’s Local Offer, SEND Inspection reports and service improvement work on each of our Council’s webpages below as well as on our link pages on the left.

Dynamic Support Register (DSR)

Dynamic Support Register (DSR) and Care (Education) and Treatment Review (C(E)TR)

Dynamic Support Registers (DSR) and Care (Education) and Treatment Reviews (C(E)TR) are a crucial part of the support system for people, including children and young people, with learning disabilities, autism, or both in England.

Dynamic Support Register (DSR)

NHS policy requires local area partners to maintain a register of people with a learning disability and autistic people, including those considered to be at risk of admission to a mental health hospital.

The Dynamic Support Register (DSR) should be used to ensure local partners:

  • use risk stratification to identify people at risk of admission to a mental health hospital
  • work together to review the needs of those on the DSR
  • co-ordinate the right support to help prevent people being admitted to a mental health hospital

Care (Education) and Treatment Review (C(E)TR)

Care and Treatment Reviews (CTRs) are arranged for people with a learning disability and/or autism who are at imminent risk of admission, or who are already in a mental health or learning disability hospital.

Care (Education) and Treatment Reviews (C(E)TRs) are arranged for children and young people with a learning disability and/or autism who are at imminent risk of admission, or who are already in a mental health or learning disability hospital.

A C(E)TR provides a comprehensive assessment of an individual’s needs, strengths, and achievements to ensure they receive the appropriate care, education, and treatment to thrive. C(E)TRs are carried out by an independent panel, including an expert by experience, a clinical expert who is qualified to work in healthcare and the commissioner who pays for the person’s care.

At times of ‘crisis’ a community C(E)TR may not be able to be set up quickly enough.  A multi professional meeting, known as a Local Area Emergency Protocol (LAEP) is set up to engage the person, their family and all those around them to think creatively about what potential alternative supports and interventions could be put in place.

The C(E)TR Process

  • Concerns raised: Please email the key worker team, using the details below, if you think a young person with autism and/or a learning disability meet the criteria.
  • Panel formation: A panel of independent experts is formed, including healthcare professionals, education specialists if appropriate, social care representatives and an expert by experience.
  • Information gathering: The panel gathers information from various sources, including the person, their family, carers, and relevant professionals.
  • Assessment and review: The panel assesses the person’s needs, strengths, and achievements, considering the gathered information.
  • Recommendations and implementation: The panel provides recommendations for the person’s care, education if appropriate, and treatment. The local authority works with families and professionals to implement these recommendations.

Outcomes of C(E)TRs

C(E)TRs are intended to lead to several positive outcomes:

  • Individualised support plans: Individualised support plans that are tailored to the person’s specific needs.
  • Improved quality of life: C(E)TRs contribute to an improved quality of life for people with a learning disability and/or Autism.
  • Enhanced family well-being: Families and carers experience reduced stress and improved coping mechanisms due to the support provided.
  • Effective service delivery: Professionals gain a better understanding of individual needs, leading to more effective service delivery.


Accessing Support

If you are a professional, a parent/carer or a person with autism and/or a learning disability diagnosis, and think you meet the criteria, please email the keyworker team on:

For more details information about the DSR and CETRs please see Dynamic support register and Care (Education) and Treatment Review – Policy and guidance, January 2023