Collective Get Together 2025
The Kids Annual Collective Get Together 2025 brought over 50 young people with SEND together with leaders and policymakers to share ideas, influence change, and help shape the future of the SEND system.
On Friday 1st August, our Annual Collective Get Together brought together over 50 incredible young people with SEND, alongside practitioners, decision-makers, and leaders – all united by one goal: to make sure young people’s voices are heard loud and clear in the decisions that affect their lives.
The event was held both in-person and online, and the energy was electric. The rooms buzzed with conversation, ideas, and hope for a more inclusive future.
We were honoured to welcome Catherine McKinnell MP, Minister for Schools, who joined us in person to engage directly with young people, hearing their experiences and ideas to improve school support and the wider SEND system.
Activities to amplify young people’s voices
There were a series of activities designed to give young people different ways to share their perspectives, experiences and ideas. The key sessions were: Listening Leaders, Patchwork of Positivity, Snakes and Ladders of Life and the White Paper session.
Listening Leaders
Listening Leaders gave young people the opportunity to tell leaders from Kids and the Department for Education, as well as the Minister for Schools about changes they would like to see in schools and college, and also speak openly about their experiences of health, community support and what they would do if they were in charge for a day.
Many young people called for more SEN support in mainstream provision, better training for staff to understand and meet diverse needs, and a shift from ‘can’t do’ to ‘can do’ attitudes in schools. They also emphasised the need to recognise that every disability, and every person, is different.
Young people were also asked what they would do if they were in charge for a day. They spoke about ensuring that every voice is heard, giving young people a seat at the table to influence decisions, and supporting every young person to prepare for adulthood.
Patchwork of Positivity
In this creative activity, young people designed fabric squares that captured their ideas, values, and hopes for improving the SEND system. A powerful statement shared was “instead of telling us, help us,” emphasising the importance of listening and working together.
These squares will be stitched together to form a Patchwork of Positivity – a quilt representing unity, creativity, and a shared commitment to making the system better for all.
Snakes and Ladders of Life
The Snakes and Ladders of Life activity gave young people the space to reflect on their personal journeys and the highs and lows of SEND.
Ladders represented the positive moments and helpful support that have enabled them to move forward, while snakes symbolised the barriers and setbacks they have faced along the way. This thoughtful and honest exchange of experiences helped identify the types of support that can make a real difference.
The White Paper Session
In the White Paper Session we discussed what a White Paper is, how it shapes government policy, and why it is important for young people to have their say. We then asked young people a series of questions about the SEND system and school support and the vast majority agree there is a problem.
80% of young people said they experienced stress due to things not happening at the right time and not getting the help when needed.
86% of young people said they have experienced long waits and delays for assessments, access to services or support to be put in place.
Engaging young people in the White Paper is essential, and they shared valuable ideas about how to make the information more accessible, such as breaking content into shorter, clearer sections, using social media and videos to share the key points, and simplifying complex language.
The message was clear, as one young person said:
“We know what works, we are competent, we know the stakes and the impact on our lives. We deserve a seat at the table. When you don’t consult with children, you don’t get an accurate representation of the issues and our reality.”
Abbie’s account of the day
We were thrilled to welcome Abbie, Chair of Dynamite, and Saarah, a dedicated volunteer, to the event. Abbie met Catherine McKinnell, Minister for Schools, and spoke about her own journey – including how an EHCP made it possible for her to access online college.
Looking ahead
It was a fantastic day filled with inspiring ideas and meaningful conversations, bringing young people and decision-makers together in the same space to listen, learn, and work towards change that reflects real experiences.
At Kids, championing youth voice is a key part of our strategy, because we believe the most meaningful change happens when young people are genuinely involved in shaping it. By giving young people the platform, tools, and confidence to share their perspectives, we can help create a system that truly understands and meets their needs.
All insights and ideas from the event will be shared with the Department for Education and other decision-makers to help shape the upcoming SEND White Paper and wider SEND system.