We are pleased to introduce the SEND Youth Forum, a participation platform to be co-designed with young people aged 14 to 25. This exciting initiative aims to empower and engage young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) by providing them with a space to voice their opinions, share experiences, and drive positive change in Hampshire.

What is the SEND Youth Forum? 

The SEND Youth Forum is a collaborative space where young people can connect, learn, and advocate for their rights. The forum will focus on issues that matter to them and will feedback into workstreams across Hampshire to impact service delivery and strategic decisions.

• Inclusivity

The forum welcomes participants from diverse backgrounds, abilities, and experiences. It is not a requirement to have a formal diagnosis or EHC (Education, Health and Care) Plan to be able to join the forum - the voice of all young people with SEND matters.

• Virtual and Face to Face

The forum will operate online and in person, allowing all young people to participate. Decisions on the format and location of meetings will be co-produced with young people to enable them to engage in discussions, attend events, and contribute to meaningful projects.

• Peer Support

An opportunity for young people to connect with fellow young advocates who understand the challenges faced by those with SEND. An opportunity to share stories, offer encouragement, and build a supportive network.

Raising Awareness

As you will already have active participants in School Council and Learner Voice groups, you may be aware of young people with SEND who would benefit from this opportunity. Please share this information and encourage these young people (aged 14 and above) to join the forum and be part of a community that amplifies their voices, particularly with any Year 11 learners who will be moving onto Post 16 settings soon.

By encouraging young people to participate, this will empower them to take an active role in shaping their own futures. Insights from the forum will also support educational practices, curriculum development, support services and provide young people with a sense of ownership in contributing to key decision making.

How Can Young People Get Involved?

Please encourage young people to register their interest online at: https://forms.office.com/e/hQNNCY1nau

Or by scanning the QR Code below:

An initial online meeting will then take place with all interested participants to discuss plans further.

For more information or any questions, please contact: SEND.Emp@hants.gov.uk

The primary aims of the subject network meetings are to:

• Ensure a clear understanding of the national picture and its application in local and school contexts. 
• Support effective subject leadership as appropriate to each school’s individual context. 
• Develop skills, expertise, and capacity within school subject leaders and their teams through quality strategic CPD and the sharing of good practice. 
• Deepen understanding of subject specific pedagogy and knowledge that underpins good progress and attainment for ALL pupils. 
• Facilitate school to school networking and develop strength across the system.

Search and book on the Learning Zone using keyword search: Summer SEN 

Price: Sub £50 / SLA £40 / Full £60

Secondary SEN Network 23-24 flyer

Free webinars around inclusion in sport and physical activity | Nasen

Inclusion 2024 Live is an interactive online week of free to access Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Inclusion webinars from the Youth Sport Trust.

Youth Sport Trust is a consortium partner of Whole School SEND. The week provides the opportunity for teachers, school staff, community providers and sports organisations to listen to and learn from experienced practitioners and young people about their experience and research around inclusion in sport and physical activity.

With nearly 400,000 young people having an Education Health Care Plan and over 1 million young people receiving SEN support in England, there has never been a more important time to show the importance and positive impact being active has for SEND young people.

The webinars take place across the week beginning the 29 January 2024.

This Early Years In Mind resource has been written by the National Deaf Children’s Society. 
 
This toolkit builds understanding of the barriers that deaf children may experience in early years settings and provides information and activities to create positive mental health. 

Deaf babies and children face a unique set of barriers to accessing communication and language, which can directly impact their relationship with others, their learning and their mental health and well-being. Providing tailored support to them, as well as their non-deaf peers, can build the foundations for good emotional health and mental health. 
 
Download and share the toolkit here (Deafness and me: A toolkit for early years practitioners | Anna Freud)

Valuing Difference: Understanding the Need for Disability Equality

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6rBuSZoSu8

While linked to the current UK Disability History Month (UK Disability History Month – 16 November – 16 December (ukdhm.org)), some of this relatively short video raises some interesting points and ways of talking and thinking about disability, barriers and impairments, and disability as a social construct. Aspects might be useful in your work or for further exploration.