Somerset’s SEND Engagement and Participation Strategy

Introduction

In Somerset we believe that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are everyone’s business.

Our ambition is for every child and young person with SEND to receive an inclusive education and access the opportunities and support they need to lead and achieve their best in life.

Our Vision

(Somerset SEND Strategy 2023 – 2026 mission statement)

Listening to the voices of children, young people and their families is vital to ensure services are effectively meeting the identified needs. Parent carers, or children and young people themselves are the experts in their lives and the support they may need.

The law also tells us that we must listen to the views, wishes and feelings of a child and his or her parent or the young person.

How are we going to do this?

There are many ways for children, young people and their families to have their voices listened in Somerset – from collecting a child’s voice in their care plans and assessments, attending meetings and telling local area officers about what needs to happen and joining groups and forums as a collective voice.

Here are some specific ways you can have your voice heard:

The Unstoppables, Somerset Parent Carer Forum and SENDIAS share the views of children, young people and their families at various meetings and boards to help people understand what it’s like to live in Somerset. They share good practice, what isn’t working and ideas on how it could be better.

The SEND Collaboration Framework shows the different ways we plan to collaborate and keep you updated.

The Participation Toolkit has been produced in collaboration with children and young people, their parent carers and practitioners to support all the ways in which children, young people and families can have a voice that makes a real difference to the way they are supported.

How will we know it's working?

We have worked with children and young people with SEND and their families to understand what is important to live a happy life. They have identified seven key outcomes, which together spell the word ACHIEVE.

• Ambitious – pursue my interests and aspirations
• Connected – have relationships with people who are important to me
• Healthy – access health and wellbeing support when I need it
• Informed – make informed choices
• Educated – access education and opportunities for lifelong learning
• Valued – be heard, have choices and have control over my life
• Employed – or have access to money.

These outcomes will be measured through the action plan of the SEND Strategy 2023 – 2026 and will be monitored by the SEND Partnership Board.

How will we keep you up to date with what has happened because of your feedback?

We will use the you said we are listening section of Somerset SEND Local Offer to update you, along with SEND news.

Key outcomes for engagement and participation will be published in the Annual Reports of Somerset Parent Carer Forum and the Somerset Council Engagement and Participation Team.