Young people in Essex worked with an organisation that helps develop policy for the Government to publish a case study about special educational needs and mental health difficulties.
The Multi-Schools Council (MSC), set up in 2012 to give children in special schools a greater voice, joined forces with Isos, a partnership that advises the Department for Education.
Titled ‘Giving young people with SEND a voice through the Essex Multi Schools Council’, the report outlines the thinking behind the initiative with a view to take the plan nationwide.
Kierran Pearce, who set up the programme said: “We were really pleased to have the support of Essex County Council who recommended Isos speak to us about our work.
“If we really believe in a more inclusive and better education system for all then young people must be at the centre of those improvements. What our work wants to do is create an impact in schools now but also within future generations.”
Researchers at Isos spoke to young people who are MSC ambassadors and could talk about how it has given them a “safe space, built their confidence and created other opportunities for them.”
Funding is now being sought to expand the programme outside of Essex.
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