Young people's experiences lead SEND Strategy plan
A new strategy for special educational needs and disabilities support puts the ideas and thoughts of children, young people and their families at its heart.
Article date: November 14 2024
The Special Educational Needs and Disability Strategy 2024-27 is up for discussion at Cabinet meeting next week where councillors will decide on whether to approve the plan.
The theme is Visible, Valued and Included as the key aspirations drawn up by the countless children, young people, parents and carers who played an active role in the creation of the document.
One participant explained: "We dream of a St Helens that celebrates diversity, where every young person feels valued and proud of who they are. Our SEND Strategy should be a beacon of hope, showing that difference is not just accepted, but embraced."
The new strategy focuses on five priorities that St Helens Borough Council and it's partners will look to deliver. These are:
Five priorities
1. Managing transition for life
2. Developing a curriculum for success
3. Building a community of support
4. Meeting multiple and complex needs
5. Ensuring timely assessment and effective support
These five priorities will then help to bring about four key outcomes that young people told the council they wanted support with which are:
Four outcomes
1. I am heard
2. I am safe and secure
3. I am healthy
4. I am aspirational and successful
The work by the council and partners will follow three key principles which are:
1. Listening to children, young people and families
2. Strengthening communications
3. Building a great workforce
Mark Palethorpe, Executive Director for People's Services at St Helens Borough Council, said: "This strategy truly is a co-designed document thanks to extensive working with our SEN community and it has been a really engaging experience for all. We know that 20 per cent of children and young people in the borough have SEN and this strategy is how we hope we can meet the needs of children and young people who told us throughout this process that they want to see personalised services that meet individual needs, provides them safety, supports their mental wellbeing and ultimately empowers them and their families to reach their full potential."
Read the proposed strategy here: SEND Strategy Document
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