How children and young people can get involved with SEND services
Introduction
It is very important that children and young people with SEND have the opportunity to speak with us.
We want their views, feedback and experiences so we can develop and improve our services.
Events and discussion groups
There are different events and discussion groups for children and young people:
- SEND participation activities and events for children and young people
- Article 12 Gamers
- SEND Youth Voice Days
- Norfolk SEND youth forum
- DRAGONS disability action group for young people
- Cambridge Children's Hospital youth forum
You can also get involved and share your views. How parents and carers can get involved with SEND services.
Get in touch
To attend an event, join a discussion group or ask for more information, email us at [email protected].
Read our privacy notice to find out how we use your personal information.
SEND participation activities and events for children and young people
SEND participation activities and events offer opportunities to participate and have your voice heard at different events, where you may be invited to join the team, such as days where we make resources to help other children and young persons (CYP), activities such as making music, creating content and more.
Young person interview panels are regularly hosted, where you can interview people within the council, ask questions and feedback to the relevant departments on whether you feel they are right for the position.
If you know a young person that would like to get involved or if you are a service that would like to speak to young people with expertise on SEND email [email protected]. Read our privacy notice to find out how we use your personal information.
You can find out dates, times and locations of activities on the SEND activities planner.
Article 12 Gamers
Article 12 gamers is a group for young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
Group sessions run across 3 age groups:
- 6-11 years old once a half term
- 12-16 years old once a half term
- 17-25 years old in term time approximately every 6 weeks
The group provides young people with an opportunity to make new friends, talk about what's important to them, and have some fun gaming.
Sessions are based at the Albion Games Cafe in Norwich and run for two hours. The sessions are split into two parts with half the session being centred around the young people giving their views and the rest of the session is spent making use of the gaming consoles in the cafe.
Previous participation activities have included:
- creating drawings on the theme 'this is me'
- discussing the best way to give feedback on services
- producing a list of top tips for inclusive providers to be used by the Short Breaks team
If you know a young person that would like to get involved or if you are a service that would like to speak to young people with expertise on SEND email [email protected]. Read our privacy notice to find out how we use your personal information.
SEND Youth Voice Days
We'll be asking you to look at and tell us your views about webpages, the next SEND survey and lots more and we need a team to help us.
We'll be checking whether we have the right questions, words, information, pictures and more.
If you have a young person aged 11 to 25 years old who loves teamwork, wants to make a difference and make new friends, invite them to join our workshops.
Workshop dates:
- Friday 28 August (summer holiday)
- Friday 30 October (half term)
- Friday 19 February 2027 (half term)
Workshops that place 10am-3pm at County Hall, Martineau Lane, Norwich NR1 2DH.
If you would like to join this group, please get in touch by emailing [email protected].
Read our privacy notice to find out how we use your personal information.
Norfolk SEND youth forum
A virtual youth group for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The group met for the first time in September 2020.
The group:
- Shares experiences in education and training
- Discusses issues
- Works together to improve services for young people with SEND
- Creates change
This is a project supported by Norfolk SENDIASS, in partnership with the Inclusion and SEND team.
Who can join?
New members are welcome! If you are 11-25-years-old and have something to say, we would like to hear from you.
When are the meetings?
The meetings are held online via Microsoft Teams, on Wednesdays from 6.30-7.30pm.
Dates for the upcoming academic year are to be confirmed.
How to join
For further information and to join the group:
Complete the online registration form (opens new window)
You will be sent an invite to the next meeting.
Contact Norfolk SENDIASS
Call: 01603 704070
Email: [email protected]. Read our privacy notice to find out how we use your personal information.
Website: www.norfolksendiass.org.uk (opens new window)
Members of the group recently attended the Youth Voice Matters Conference. Watch the Youth Voice Matters conference film.
DRAGONS disability action group for young people
The DRAGONS (Disability real action group of Norfolk) are an advocacy and participation group of young people aged 13 - 25 yrs with SEND and/or neurologically diverse/developmental differences.
The role of the DRAGONs is to express their views and be the voice of this diverse group, providing important feedback on the services and provision that are currently in use and planned for the future.
The DRAGONs meet online and in person on a monthly basis.
How to get involved
Follow the link to get involved with The DRAGONS (Disability real action group of Norfolk).
Cambridge Children's Hospital youth forum
- Are you passionate about making a difference?
- Would you like to play a key role in shaping a world-leading children's hospital?
- Could you be a champion for children and young people?
Cambridge Children's Hospital is going to be the first specialist children's hospital for the East of England. They are going to treat mental and physical health together, alongside world-leading research.
They are setting up a youth forum, and want to make sure young people are involved.
