Shout out for SEND – get involved!
If you have a Special Educational Need or Disability, Shout out for SEND provides a range of opportunities to have fun and have your voice heard to improve support for young people with SEND.
What is SOFS?
Shout out for SEND (SOFS) is for young people with a Special Educational Need or Disability. (You might see this written as ‘SEND’.)
It gives you the chance to have your say on issues that matter to you, to make sure that you are listened to by workers, managers and decision makers in the council, and to make a difference to the lives of other children and young people receiving SEND services.
How you can get involved
Shout Out for SEND is a way to have your say and make sure that local activities and services are suitable for young people with SEND. Shout Out for SEND also ensures that young people with SEND are being listened to by the council, and their school or college. Shout out for SEND also offers lots of opportunities to try new things and make new friends!
There are a number of ways you can get involved.
1. Shout Out Reps
Our Shout Out Reps speak for their school, college, friends or community.
They meet in person and online each month to share the views of young people with SEND in Buckinghamshire. Ideas that our Shout Out Reps have for improving local SEND services are presented to the people who make decisions at the council.
2. Annual conference
Our annual conference for young people is a day of creative and fun activities.
You also get a chance to talk to senior people at Buckinghamshire council, who can help to make sure that your voice is heard.
2. Activity days
We organise a day during each of the school holidays when young people with SEND who have participated in our Reps groups take part in fun activities in Buckinghamshire.
It’s a chance to:
- try a new activity
- meet new people
- have your voice heard
Recent activities include: bowling, theatre, outdoor adventure activities.
4. School and college groups
Our team visits schools and colleges across Buckinghamshire to hear your views.
It’s a great way to make sure your voice is heard while you are still studying.
How to join
If you would like to get involved, email the Shout Out for SEND team shoutoutforsend@buckinghamshire.gov.uk