Young People Lead the Conversation at MP Drop-In Event
This week, a group of young people hosted an MP drop-in event, where 15 young people met with MPs from across the country and discussed their experiences of the current education system, and their ideas for meaningful reform.
Published: 03 March 2026
This event was generously sponsored by Bracknell MP Peter Swallow. We are incredibly grateful to Peter and his team for their support, which helped create a welcoming space for young voices to be heard at the heart of Westminster.
The idea for the event came directly from the young people themselves. At our 2025 Collective Get Together, young people shared that they wanted the chance to speak face-to-face with MPs about their experiences within education, health, and care systems – and, crucially, to share their ideas for how these systems could work better for children and young people across England.
Four interactive stands bringing real experiences to life
Young people designed and hosted four themed stands, each highlighting issues that deeply matter to them. The stands explored topics such as:
- The right help at the right time: Including early identification and support from multi-agency specialists.
- Skilled staff and inclusive cultures: The importance of training for school staff and whole-school inclusive cultures.
- Happy, healthy and successful adults: Supporting transitions into adulthood and developing life skills.
- Support that understands and meets our needs: Understanding different needs, including those described as ‘complex’, and the support needed to meet those needs.
Each stand connected closely to themes in last week’s Schools White Paper, giving MPs valuable insight into what children and young people feel must change.
To make these conversations even more engaging, the young people created interactive activities that helped MPs step into their shoes and understand the challenges many face every day. These hands-on moments sparked thoughtful discussion and ensured the voices of young people were front and centre.
A strong turnout and genuine engagement from MPs
Around 30 MPs, parliamentary staff and civil servants attended the event, showing real interest in hearing directly from those with lived experience of the current education system. These included Helen Hayes, Chair of the Education Select Committee, and Munira Wilson, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Education. Both Helen and Munira spent significant time speaking with the young people at each stand. Their thoughtful conversations demonstrated a genuine commitment to understanding the perspectives of those most affected by education policy decisions.
We are confident that the insights shared will help inform their thinking as they approach the forthcoming White Paper proposals.
Representation from across England
The event featured young people with a wide range of experiences of the SEND system. We were joined by young people from regions across England and from a broad mix of educational settings – mainstream, private, and special schools. Their varied experiences painted an honest picture of how systems currently work and where improvement is most urgently needed.
A powerful reminder of why Youth Voice matters
This event highlighted the importance of creating spaces where young people can speak directly to decisionmakers. The clarity, confidence, and honesty they brought to these conversations made a powerful impact on all who attended.
We are incredibly proud of the young people who led the event, and grateful to every MP and civil servant who took the time to listen. Their contributions will play an important role in shaping thinking as the next phase of policy development begins.