Young People with SEND Engage Education Leaders
Seven inspiring young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) came together in Manchester for an innovative, youth-led workshop with Minister Georgia Gould and Mark Taylor, North West Deputy Director at the Department for Education (DfE).
Published: 12 Jan 2026
Putting young people’s voices at the centre
This interactive session marked an important step in ensuring that the voices of young people are placed at the centre of conversations shaping education and SEND policy. Rather than being spoken about, young people were supported to speak for themselves – sharing their lived experiences, ideas, and hopes for change directly with national decision-makers.
Co-designed and youth-led
The workshop was co-designed by members of the Collective, who created the questions and activities used throughout the session. These questions had previously been explored at parent carer and practitioner events and were refined to help guide meaningful, open conversations during the workshop.
Honest conversations about education and SEND
Discussions were structured around five key principles identified through recent regional engagement events. Young people spoke honestly about both the challenges and the positive experiences they encounter in education, reflecting the diversity of needs and perspectives within the SEND community. Engagement was strong throughout, with participants sharing that they felt listened to, respected, and valued.
Powerful call for co-production
One participant, Tobias, captured the spirit and ambition of the day:
“We had a productive conversation about some of the difficulties experienced by young people with a range of disabilities in education – the good times and the bad: the way we can improve and the great work we can celebrate. Awareness is a great step, but we have to keep moving forward. I appreciate the valuable experience I have had and the listening that ministers do to help shape future policies. However, I would like the next steps to be producing meaningful change, co-producing with all stakeholders, and moving forward to put these ideas into practice. The way we make change is together. Co-producing from the beginning. We have experiences, we have ideas, we have expertise – let’s put them into action!”
Moving from awareness into action
This powerful feedback reinforces the importance of collaboration from the very beginning and highlights why co-production is essential if policies are to reflect real lived experiences and lead to meaningful, lasting change.
The session was more than a conversation, it was a shared commitment to partnership, progress, and inclusion. By working together, we move closer to an education system where every young person’s voice truly matters.