How Shout Out for SEND helped influence the recommissioning of Short Breaks and Respite Services
Background
In June 2026, Shout Out for SEND worked with Buckinghamshire Council’s Children and Young People’s Mental Health, Autism and Disabilities Commissioning Team to help shape the future of Short Breaks and Respite Services.
Rather than being consulted after decisions had already been made, young people were involved at the very start of the recommissioning process. This gave them the opportunity to share what works well, what doesn’t work well, and what they believe needs to change for future Short Breaks provision.
The session was attended by Wendy Smith (Commissioning Officer) and Rowena Shepherd (Strategic Commissioning Manager), who heard directly from young people about their experiences and ideas.
What We Did
The session was designed to be interactive, accessible and engaging.
Young people:
- Explored what Short Breaks are and the different types available
- Discussed who current provision works for and who may miss out
- Shared experiences of activities they had attended
- Identified barriers to participation
- Designed their own Short Break ideas for the future
Young people considered both their own experiences and the needs of other children and young people who may find Short Breaks difficult to access.
What Young People Told Us
Across discussions and activities, several common themes emerged.
Young people told us that Short Breaks work best when:
- They feel safe and predictable
- Support is built in from the start
- Staff understand SEND
- There is flexibility and choice
- Environments are not overwhelming
- Young people know what to expect before attending
Young people also highlighted barriers including:
- Transport
- Cost
- Overwhelming group environments
- Poorly managed transitions
- Lack of flexibility
- Inconsistent support
Designing Better Short Breaks
As part of the session, young people designed their own Short Break ideas.
These included:
- Dog Rescue activities
- Volunteering opportunities
- Outdoor SEND groups
- Confidence and Life Skills programmes
- Puppy Yoga
- Space Clubs
- Audiobook Groups
- Accessible concert experiences
Many of the ideas focused on:
- Preparing for adulthood
- Building confidence and independence
- Creating low-pressure environments
- Supporting young people who do not access traditional group activities
- Providing meaningful real-world experiences
Early Impact
The session provided commissioners with direct insight into the experiences of children and young people with SEND.
Following the session:
- Young people’s feedback was included in a formal report
- Commissioners identified a need to make information about Short Breaks easier to understand
- Several ideas developed by young people were highlighted as examples of future provision
- Young people were recognised as important partners in the recommissioning process
Wendy and Rowena said:
“We really appreciated the opportunity to hear their views, ideas and feedback on Short Breaks provision.”
They also described the group as:
“An incredible group” and “A great bunch of young people who have so much to offer.”
Closing the Feedback Loop
One of the key principles of Shout Out for SEND is that participation should not stop once feedback has been collected.
Following the session, Buckinghamshire Council carried out a wider engagement programme involving more than 300 children, young people, families and professionals.
The findings from this engagement are now being brought together into an engagement report and needs analysis, which will be used to develop options for future Short Breaks provision.
In January 2027, the commissioning team will return to Shout Out for SEND to:
- Share what they heard from the wider engagement
- Explain what can and cannot change
- Present options for future Short Breaks provision
- Gather further views from young people before decisions are made
This means young people are helping shape the process at the beginning and will have another opportunity to influence future decisions before they are finalised.
Why This Matters
Too often, young people are asked for their views after decisions have already been made.
This project is different.
Young people were involved at the very start of the recommissioning process, helping commissioners understand what works, what doesn’t, and what needs to change. Their feedback contributed to the wider engagement process, which gathered the views of more than 300 children, young people, families and professionals across Buckinghamshire.
The work doesn’t stop here. The commissioning team has committed to returning to Shout Out for SEND to share what they have heard, present options for future Short Breaks provision, and gather further views before decisions are made.
Shout Out for SEND also hopes to support the next stage of the process by helping develop questions that providers may be asked during commissioning and tendering.
This means young people are not only helping shape the conversation at the start, but also influencing what happens next.
For Shout Out for SEND, meaningful participation is more than simply having a voice. It’s about helping create better opportunities for SEND children and young people across Buckinghamshire.
For more information
If you’d like to find out more about Shout Out for SEND, email ShoutOutforSEND@Buckinghamshire.gov.uk.
Interested in becoming a Young Inspector?