Overview
Over the last two years, young people from Shout Out for SEND have played a key role in shaping Buckinghamshire’s new SEND & Inclusion Strategy. This case study shows how their voices influenced the strategy from the very first conversations in early 2024, all the way to the final document — where their words now appear directly as the “I Statements.”
This work is an example of genuine youth coproduction and a fully closed feedback loop: young people gave views, saw the impact, and later reflected on how it felt to be heard.
Where It Started: February 2024 – “What needs to change?”
In February 2024, Shout Out for SEND members explored what good support should feel like for children and young people with SEND. They shared honest experiences across early support, education, and preparing for adulthood.
Themes from 19.02.24 included:
Early Support
Young people said early help often comes too late, or not at all. They shared:
“Early support is life changing.”
“Tell us what support is available and how to get it.”
“Raise awareness of annual health checks – people don’t know about them.”
“My preschool teacher helped me get my EHCP – that early support changed everything.”
“Forms need to be simpler.”
Education
Young people were clear about what good education looks like:
“I feel safe in school when teachers understand my needs.”
“It’s important to have drop‑in mental health support.”
“Better transitions.”
“I have a one‑to‑one in every lesson and it helps me feel happy.”
“I’m not sure about college – it’s very demanding.”
“More pastoral support is needed.”
Preparing for Adulthood
This was a major priority for young people:
“Help us access the right support in the workplace.”
“Teach us about mortgages and tax.”
“We need more supported internships – not just business admin and hospitality.”
“There’s no adaptive housing.”
“Affordable housing is already hard — and even harder for SEND young people.”
“Once you lose your EHCP you’re done for.”
Many spoke about independence, friendships, mental health and wanting fair chances.
Moving Forward: September 2025 – Reviewing the Strategy
In September 2025, Shout Out for SEND representatives were invited to review the published SEND & Inclusion Strategy. This wasn’t a drafting stage – it was an opportunity for young people to see clearly where their voices, ideas and lived experiences had been woven into the final document.
Young people reflected on the process, what they recognised from their previous work, and what would help improve youth coproduction in future. They said:
- “It feels cool to be part of this big picture and helping give young people the chances they deserve.”
- “The strategy needs an easy read version for young people.”
- “Show us evidence of the impact.”
- “EHCP coordinators need to know more about signposting.”
- “Why are EHCP numbers going up? Talk about the reasons, not just the statistics.”
Although the strategy itself was already published, these reflections directly shaped:
- How the council communicates the strategy
- How future SEND workstreams will involve YP from the beginning
- A stronger framework for ongoing youth voice in countywide SEND improvement
Impact: Young People’s Words Became the “I Statements”
One of the most meaningful outcomes was that young people’s own language became part of the strategy.
Their reflections directly informed the final I Statements, which ensure that all workstreams stay centred around lived experience.
Pippa, a Shout Out for SEND representative, wrote the foreword — before any professional voice. In the strategy she said:
“Behind every statement is a SEND young person’s lived experience, and it matters.”
This is a major step forward in embedding youth voice into strategic planning at a county level.
Closing the Loop: How It Felt for Young People
At the SEND Partnership Board (SPB), one of our Reps Will shared what we said on the strategy. They said:
“It feels cool to be part of this big picture.”
“I feel proud because the strategy will change people’s lives.”
“This gives young people chances many of us didn’t have.”
This final reflection completes the coproduction cycle: they gave feedback → saw it used → and told us how it felt.
See our work for yourself!
For more information
If you’d like to find out more about Shout Out for SEND, email ShoutOutforSEND@Buckinghamshire.gov.uk.