Getting your voice heard
You have a legal right to have your views heard.
The Children and Families Act 2014 says so.
As a local authority (Buckinghamshire Council) the Act states we must:
- listen to the views, wishes and feelings of the child and their guardians
- make sure they are participating as fully as possible in the decisions
- provide them with all the information and support necessary to make those decisions
- facilitate the development of the young person through support to help them achieve the best possible education
This means that the professionals around you must:
- help you to give your views
- make sure you have the information you need to make decisions
- listen to your views and take them into account
This means you should be given choices, kept in the loop, invited to meetings, sent reports and encouraged to give your views in the way which suits you.
Your views
Your views are also needed to improve the help given for children and young people with SEND. There are groups you can join to be part of this.
We offer training for children and young people and parents/carers. We may be able to speak to you before a meeting to give you tips. Sometimes we may be able to attend a meeting with you.
Preparing for a meeting - Buck SENDIAS Service May 2020
FACT Bucks/Bucks SENDIAS Service Parents communicating confidently webinar January 2022
- Buckinghamshire Family Information Service Give feedback to help make the SEND local offer even better
- FACT Bucks | Families And Carers Together in Bucks Parents/carers discussing and raising issues which affect their children and young people with SEND
- BuDS | Buckinghamshire Disability Service User-led pan-disability charity focused on fixing the big issues for disabled people
Support and plans for your child or young person with SEND will work much better if your child is helped to be involved and asked for their views. The Department for Education expects children to attend meetings about their support and plans.
- Does your child know what the support and plans are for?
- Do they know that they should be involved?
- Do they know what the key decisions are?
- How can they be helped to find out?
- Can they say what they think, or do they need help with this?
Belonging to a youth group, such as SEND Youth Projects, can really help young people gain confidence to speak out in whatever way suits them.
Children and young people in care may qualify for a specially trained advocate - National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS). Also, many local special schools are helping their pupils to express their views as part of the Learner Voice project.
- SEND Youth Projects - Projects, events and groups including the opportunity to become a Shout Out Rep or SEND Young Inspector
- Article 12 Young People's Participation Forum for CAMHS - Young people contributing to the development of our local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service
- Eating Disorder Service Participation Forum for CAMHS - young people and staff who work together on different projects to make sure the Eating Disorder Team at CAMHS listens to young people’s feedback to improve the service that young people receive