Have Your Say Forum
Overview
Have Your Say (HYS) is a monthly participation group for young people aged 11–25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in Kent, with additional online and half-term sessions.
HYS was created in response to feedback that mainstream youth forums could feel overwhelming due to sensory needs, anxiety, or communication barriers.
The group includes a diverse range of young people, including those who are transgender, home educated, or under child protection plans, with some progressing into wider forums like Kent Youth County Council (KYCC) and Kent Youth Voice (KYV) with tailored support. Participation workers also provide 1:1 assistance to help individuals manage personal challenges, including anxiety and school transitions.
i-THRIVE in Action
Needs-led: Designed using young people’s input, the SEND Code of Practice, and i-THRIVE principles, HYS offers a more accessible, needs-led space where young people can shape session topics, take part in confidence building activities, and have a genuine voice in local decision making.
Accessibility: The group uses a range of accessibility tools including pre-meeting preparation, buddying, visual timetables, group agreements, and practical consultation activities and provides personalised adjustments such as online introductions, staff photos, walk throughs, and staggered arrival times to support comfort and confidence.
Shared decision-making: HYS members have contributed to high-impact projects, including informing SEND strategies within KCC and presenting at professional conferences such as the Children and Young People’s Social Work and Early Help Conference, where they created activities to challenge stigma around SEND.
Feedback
Direct quotes from young people:
“Here is more of a safe space to talk about things, whereas in school if I talk about my mental health, it is judged.”
“It’s really welcoming, you don’t feel judged or on the spot because you’re new.”
“Have Your Say is a calm and nice environment where you feel comfortable sharing your opinions and thoughts.”
“Before getting involved in the KYV groups, I felt down on my luck and not inspired by the future. Being part of the group has made me feel more optimistic.”
“I think I have grown in confidence and am able to speak up now.”
Conclusion and Next Steps
HYS has created new opportunities for young people with SEND to participate, develop, and be heard, both within their group and in wider forums. The key lessons are to go at the young person’s pace, offer flexible support, and celebrate every achievement. For others looking to implement similar initiatives, start with the needs of young people and be ready to adapt; small changes can make a big difference.
Plans include reaching more young people, strengthening links with mainstream forums, and expanding leadership opportunities. Long term HYS aims to ensure every young person with SEND in Kent can influence decisions and thrive.