Support for young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

Young people are largely shaped by their experiences.

At Together As One, we want to make this experience as positive as possible, especially for those with additional needs. Therefore, we have partnered with NHS Frimley to create a new role that aims to do this: Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Engagement and Participation Officer.

The purpose of this role is to ensure that young people with special needs can learn, engage and enjoy any activity in a meaningful way. To do this, the SEND Engagement and Participation Officer aims to increase accessibility to services around Slough for children and young people with additional needs.

The (SEND) Engagement and Participation Officer aims to provide children with the space to express themselves and reach their full potential. Young people should be able to speak freely, and we take pride in planning a SEND youth platform for their voices to be heard by decision makers on policies that impact them and their families. In the push for positive change, we know that those with special needs and disabilities should have a big influence on the services that they use.

You can find out more about Jovi, our SEND Engagement and Participation Officer here.

Get involved!

Connection is at the heart of what we do.

Your child’s comfort is our priority. Therefore, children are encouraged to join our sessions gradually, so they have time to build up their confidence and feel settled in. We know that it can sometimes be challenging for a child with additional needs to join a new environment so our staff will make sure that your children feel welcome and included within our group setting.

The SEND Participation Project provides a platform for young people with special needs and disabilities to share their perspectives and views on topics that are important to them. We aim to form changes that will strengthen what the community can offer to young people with SEND. This will allow young people to choose from a range of enjoyable and inclusive activities in environments where they feel comfortable and supported  by staff that are understanding.

The SEND Youth Focus Group creates a space where young people can meaningfully discuss their experience, socialise, eat and play games in a fun and inclusive environment. The group takes place monthly in Slough and is open to 11-25 year olds with SEND.

SEND Support Form

You can download the form here. 

The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Support Form was created by the SEND Youth Focus Group as part of a participation project where young people get to use their experiences to drive change around Slough (read about how the form was created here).

This form was created for the activity providers to help them better understand the young people at their provision and how they can support them. The activity leaders can give the parents or young people the option to fill out this form when they first join the activity. This form can be stored and referred to when necessary.

If a youth activity does not provide this form young people and parent/ carers can also take this form with them.

For more information please contact the SEND Engagement and Participation Officer Jovi on 07709525687 or [email protected]