Check out opportunities for young people to get involved, as well as a range of tools and resources for practitioners
Are you passionate about participation?
Whether you are a young person or you are working with young people, there are many ways that you can engage throughout Somerset and beyond. Have a browse through the menu on the left hand side and take your pick!
There is a good tradition in Somerset for listening to the voices of children, young people and their families to help shape better outcomes for them.
We are a skilled and knowledgeable team who can help you to support young people to participate in their services, schools and communities.
As we develop this information we’ll be telling you more about how you can get involved.
In the meantime, we have developed a Participation strategy for young people and staff from a range of organisations within Somerset.
Young people represent their peers through forums, within the service they receive, sharing the views and opinions of Somerset’s young people and feeding back to decision makers.
The Unstoppables
The group is for young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities aged 13-25 who want to have their voice heard and help to make changes in Somerset.
We want to hear your views on things that matter to you. We meet on the first Saturday of every month in Yeovil.
Check out this short film to find out more about what the group does. Want to find out more?
SiCC and SLCC
SiCC stands for Somerset in Care Council – we are a group of young people who are living in care.
We meet every second Sunday of the month at the Rollercoaster in Bridgwater to talk about the things that affect young people in care. We use our views and ideas to tell the managers who make decisions what we think works well in the care system and what could be better. We also help to interview people who are applying for jobs in children’s social care
SLCC stand for Somerset Leaving Care Council. We are a group of young people who are 16+. We meet once a month with SiCC. We discuss things which we believe are important to young people who are in care, about to leave care and those who have already left.
Check out their website to find out more.
Somerset UKYPAG (UK Youth Parliament Advisory Group)
For young peoples aged between 11 and 18 (25 with SEND) who want to make a difference in young people’s lives and in their communities, and have their voices heard.
To find out more go to the “Somerset Youth Parliament” section of this page.
Under the Consultation and engagement events tab please could you include (under the SEND satisfaction Survey information- which can be removed at the end of the day on Friday as the consultation will have ended)
There are many opportunities throughout the year for young people to consult and review organisations policies and the ways in which they work. Keep checking this page for live consultations that are taking place throughout Somerset.
You might also want to use some of the tools and examples resources below to help you to plan consultation activities within your own organisation
Participation process
Planning the next CYPP
The unheard voice diagram
Youth Voice community consultation session plan
Helping ourselves
How to involve CYP – British Medical Journal
Ladder of participation
Young people can make a comment, compliment or formal complaint. Complaints posters and leaflets are available in all of our services.
Young people can volunteer at Somerset County Council and our partner organisations or get involved in fundraising events.
This is a group for young people aged between 11 and 18 (25 with SEND). This group represents the voices of Somerset’s young people.
There are 3 elected members who are affiliated to the British Youth Council and an open Advisory Group which anyone can join.
Members are elected every two years and work on a variety of campaigns that can be seen in the manifesto.
To find out more, please get in touch with Kate Darlington Email KDarlington@somerset.gov.uk Phone 07964 699595
Many of our decision-making Boards include young people making decisions with senior leaders, including our annual Youth Board.
Youth Board
Young people from across Somerset are encouraged to scrutinise Somerset’s services through a Youth-led Board.
This helps Somerset deliver the best services for young people and meet the outcomes for the current plan for children, young people and families (CYPP).
The CYPP was co-produced by young people, decision makers and our community partners throughout 2018 through a variety of consultation events and planning activities.
Click these links to read the Plan and watch the launch film of how it was made.
We support young people to review local services and provide feedback for organisations.
The team can offer bespoke training packages including
We support our young people to engage in opportunities across the UK to consult, advise and influence a wide variety of organisations, local authorities and government departments.
We use social media platforms and surveys to seek the views of young people.
SEND updates Check out the SEND Facebook page for information, updates and local events.
UKYPAG (UK Youth Parliament Advisory Group) updates To find out more about UKYPAG and learn more about current topics of interest contact Kate through Facebook.
Somerset’s In Care and Leaving Care Councils (SICC and SLCC) www.somersetincarecouncils.org.uk/
Young Somerset www.youngsomerset.org.uk/
CAMHS Participation groups www.sompar.nhs.uk/what-we-do/children-and-young-people/young-person/child-and-adolescent-mental-health-service-camhs/participation/
Training, development, recognition, success and events.
Young people across a range of services are trained to be involved in interviewing staff and allocating funding. If you would like to get young people involved in these areas within your service, check out some of the resources below:
Request for Young people to Interview – Things to consider
Thank you letter example
Top tips for involving young people in recruitment
Young Peoples Equal Opportunities interview training
Interview template
It is important that children and young people are empowered and supported to make decisions about their own lives to prepare them for their futures. These decisions should start from the earliest opportunity to give children and young people the skills they need in adulthood. Below are some useful tools to support with individual decision making:
Individual engagement and participation
Top Tips for Professionals who support CYP to participate in their EHCP
EHCp examples of good practice
Factsheet 4 Barriers to participation
Ideas for good participation poster
Assertiveness Workshop
Person centred approaches handbook for parents carers
Structured Conversation Handbook
Do you know about the Mental Capacity Act? (MCA)
The Mental Capacity Act is designed to protect and empower people who may lack the mental capacity to make their own decisions about their care and treatment. It applies to people aged 16 and over. It covers decisions about day-to-day things like what to wear or what to buy for the weekly shop, or serious life-changing decisions like whether to move into a care home or have major surgery.
Examples of people who may lack capacity include those with:
But just because a person has one of these health conditions doesn’t necessarily mean they lack the capacity to make a specific decision.
Someone can lack capacity to make some decisions (for example, to decide on complex financial issues) but still have the capacity to make other decisions (for example, to decide what items to buy at the local shop).
The Mental Capacity Act says:
To find out more check out:
www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/making-decisions-for-someone-else/mental-capacity-act/
A multi-agency group of Engagement and Participation Workers who work collaboratively to develop and deliver opportunities for young people.
This includes Participation workers from the following organisations:
To find out more about the network or how you can be involved contact Fiona Phur on FZPhur@somerset.gov.uk or call 07811 307699.
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