Our SEND Network for Change aims to create youth voice opportunities for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Here’s a quick round up of what’s been going on recently.
For all enquiries about our participation groups, you can email participation@devon.gov.uk.
Champions for Change project raising aspirations for employment
The Champions for Change have been working with professionals on a project called Raising Aspirations of Employment. The project aims to enable more young people from special schools to have the opportunity of a paid job after they leave school. As part of this, the Champions heard from 60 young people who attend special schools, and this information will be used to help shape the next steps with schools, business and employers.
If you are interested in knowing more about the Champions for Change group or their work on the above project, please email shirin.khastar@devon.gov.uk.
Impacts group for young people aged 12 to 25 continues to grow
Impacts, our new participation group for young people aged 12 to 25, has continued to grow in numbers this month. The group have recently secured a dedicated space within the council offices to meet regularly in person, and Impacts members are currently developing a co-working agreement with and for professionals.
If you are interested in knowing more about the Impacts group or their current projects, please email amy.bickford@devon.gov.uk.
Echoes group increasing children with SEND’s voices in mainstream schools
Echoes is our group for children with SEND in mainstream schools. The team has been working on transforming the way school councils are elected so that children with SEND are more adequately represented. And after canvassing opinion and garnering support for their ideas in their school, the group were delighted when their proposals were accepted – with most children in the school voted to change the election process to make it fairer for all children.
A new Echoes in Mid-Devon will be starting in September.
If you would like to hear more about Echoes or think that your school may benefit from hosting a SEND-specific club, please email david.ruiz@devon.gov.uk.
School Voice programme roll out continues
We are also continuing to roll out of your school voice programme. This free programme is delivered by our SEND participation team across local schools. The programme seeks to enable young people with SEND to learn about participation, youth voice and democratic processes both inside and outside of school.
Having recently finished our three-session programme in one school, we are now extending the programme to two further schools.
If you would like the participation programme to visit your school next, please email david.ruiz@devon.gov.uk.