Supporting Young People with Special Educational Needs

InterAct is committed to supporting children and young people in a person-centred way, so that they can achieve their potential.

To do this effectively, we try to find out and respond to the ideas and opinions of the young people we support – so that they can have a stronger voice on the best ways to support them to achieve their chosen goals, and on other issues affecting their lives.

This listening and decision-making process is part of what is usually known as Young People’s Participation.

How Young People’s Participation is working within InterAct:

Within all our regular activity programmes, we encourage young people to give feedback and make suggestions on the activities and support we offer. This helps InterAct to plan ahead in ways which match their needs, goals and interests.

Broader possibilities for Young People’s Participation have developed over the last few years - so that young people’s voices and views are being listened to, not only within InterAct, but also commenting upon and influencing other services.

Everyone’s voice counts - we are always pleased to welcome new participants in 'youth voice' sessions

Wider Successes:

After training with Essex Youth Service as SEND Young Commissioners, some of the Participation Group have taken part in the commissioning process for Short Breaks activities in Essex.

We have also been pleased to work positively with staff from the Essex County Council SEND Strategy and Innovation Team. This has been particularly effective in increasing the voice of young people in agreeing priorities for supporting children and young people with SEND: changing the wording for the ‘POET’ survey to make it more accessible for young people to use, and then using responses to the POET survey to set the priorities.

Co-delivering on Disability Awareness and Inclusion training for church-based youth workers.

Script development for a Trylife.tv interactive video project in Essex

Nationally, our links with the Council for Disabled Children’s Making Ourselves Heard Participation Network have provided other opportunities and training: national conferences, and an invitation to join their #IAmAllMe social media campaign, challenging labels and stereotypes.

Young People’s Participation

How Young People’s Participation is working within InterAct:

Wider Successes:

Get involved

Telephone:
01245-392053

Young People’s Participation

How Young People’s Participation is working within InterAct:

Wider Successes:

Get involved

Telephone: 01245-392053

The Together Club

Short Breaks, clubs and activities

Telephone:
01245-392053