We’ve just received the findings from the largest consultation to date with children and young people with SEND. We are super proud to say that Wirral’s SEND Voice group were chosen to participate and have their say. It’s an interesting read.
Background information:
Between February and March 2021, as part of the Making Participation Work programme, which is funded by the Department for Education and jointly delivered by Council for Disabled Children and KIDS, the Council for Disabled Children commissioned Kaizen to deliver an England wide consultation with children and young people with SEND. They recognised the importance of SEND children and young people voices being heard following such a difficult year. They chose our SEND Youth Voice group out of the flood of applicants and did so because they were already aware of the fabulous work they have delivered on local, regional and national platforms.
The consultation opportunity:
The online session was held via Microsoft Teams on Tuesday 23 February at 6pm in lieu of the weekly SEND Youth Voice Group meeting.
11 young people, 3 male and 8 female took part. Their ages ranged from 14-25.
The group answered questions on the impact of COVID and highlighted the things that had gone well and the things that had been problematic for them.
They talked articulately and were both balanced and considered in their feedback.
Feedback from the night from KAIZEN:
“Thank you so much for last night’s session, we thought it went really well! We really appreciate the time and effort that goes into planning this and the group are truly an inspiration. The camaraderie amongst the group was plain for all to see, they are a credit to Wirral. The notes we took last night will be written up anonymously and will feed into the final report.”
“We will email you a blank certificate for the CYP who participated last night so you can add in their full names and by way of our appreciation we would also like to send you £150 worth of vouchers for the whole group to spend on something they will be able to enjoy and use when participating. “
Feedback from the night from our young people:
“Thank you for choosing us, we like it when people join our sessions and listen to us”.
“ I felt listened to and that how I feel matters. Thank you”
“Hope what we shared leads to positive change for SEND young people across the country as well as in Wirral.”
“ Thank you for giving me this opportunity, it means a lot to me.”
Outcomes:
They have produced three versions of the report, one full report, a summary report for children and young people and an easy read version. Click on the link below and the three reports are at the bottom of the page.
Pages 49 and 53 show the representation from Wirral’s SEND young people. They are the only group from within the Liverpool City Region and one of a handful of groups from the north west of the country.
Lessons have been learned.
Additional investment from central Government has been pledged (£79 million, an increase of 30 million for Mental Health) plus a range of much needed recommendations to address the consistently highlighted issues.
Wirral SEND Youth Voice group:
From April 2020 the group have met online and enjoyed a series of special events. Weekend long festivals aka Pilgrimbury, Halloween and Christmas parties, Showcases of dance, drama and singing to name but a few. The sessions are inclusive and benefit from a peer educator structure. New members are always welcome so if you know of any SEND youngsters who would like to get involved feel free to send an e mail to Seline Wakerley, Participation & Engagement, Creative Youth Development Team/Dance [email protected]. Alternatively the young person can contact our SEND Youth Engagement Officer, Poppy Cain [email protected] who is also a senior member of the group.
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