Giving Young People Time, Space and Support to Be Heard
We are waiting for comments from the staff at PACE before the report is fully complete!
Background
Shout Out for SEND partnered with PACE in July 2026, a specialist setting supporting children and young people with complex physical disabilities, to deliver a unique youth voice project.
The project began with a workshop exploring what it means to have a voice, different ways people communicate, rights, participation and why being heard matters.
Rather than collecting feedback through a single consultation session, young people were then given a whole school term to explore these ideas with trusted staff through lessons, discussions and creative activities.
Several weeks later, Shout Out for SEND returned to PACE for a listening event where young people shared what they wanted others to understand about their lives.
What Did Young People Tell Us?
Five key themes emerged from the project:
🤝 Respect and Understanding
Young people wanted people to communicate directly with them, avoid assumptions and recognise that they think, understand and communicate in different ways.
🌟 Independence and Choice
Young people spoke about wanting opportunities to show what they can do, make choices and develop independence.
♿ Accessibility
Young people identified barriers within community spaces such as cinemas, shops, restaurants, leisure facilities and public venues.
🎵 Friendships, Leisure and Opportunities
Young people highlighted the importance of friendships, hobbies, social activities and having opportunities to enjoy life alongside their peers.
❤️ Kindness and Inclusion
Young people wanted communities that are kind, respectful, understanding and inclusive.
Powerful Messages from Young People
Some of the messages shared during the project included:
“I want them to know I think.”
“Speak directly to the person in the wheelchair.”
“I want to be independent.”
“See the person not the disability.”
“Staring hurts. Respect doesn’t.”
“Spread kindness.”
These messages became the foundation of the project’s final report:
“I Want Them To Know I Think”
More Than a Consultation
One of the most important lessons from the project was not only what young people told us, but how participation took place.
PACE staff spent a term supporting young people to explore ideas, reflect on their experiences and communicate in ways that worked for them. Young people contributed through discussion, AAC, creative work, assisted communication and AI-generated artwork.
The project reinforced an important lesson for Shout Out for SEND:
Questions matter, but relationships are what make the answers meaningful.
What’s Next?
The report will be shared with:
- Buckinghamshire Council
- SEND Partnership Board
- Education, Health and Care leaders
- Community organisations
- Participation networks
The findings will help inform future discussions around accessibility, independence, inclusion and participation for children and young people with SEND.
Shout Out for SEND would like to thank the young people and staff at PACE for their enthusiasm, honesty and willingness to share their experiences. We hope this is the beginning of a long and positive partnership between PACE and Shout Out for SEND.
For more information
If you’d like to find out more about Shout Out for SEND, email ShoutOutforSEND@Buckinghamshire.gov.uk.