Young people's experiences lead St Helens SEND Strategy plan

A new strategy for special educational needs and disabilities support puts the ideas and thoughts of children, young people and their families at its heart.

The Special Educational Needs and Disability Strategy 2024-27 is up for discussion at Cabinet meeting next week where councillors will decide on whether to approve the plan.

The theme is Visible, Valued and Included as the key aspirations drawn up by the countless children, young people, parents and carers who played an active role in the creation of the document.

One participant explained: "We dream of a St Helens that celebrates diversity, where every young person feels valued and proud of who they are. Our SEND Strategy should be a beacon of hope, showing that difference is not just accepted, but embraced."

The new strategy focuses on five priorities that St Helens Borough Council and it's partners will look to deliver. These are:

Five priorities

1. Managing transition for life
2. Developing a curriculum for success
3. Building a community of support
4. Meeting multiple and complex needs
5. Ensuring timely assessment and effective support

These five priorities will then help to bring about four key outcomes that young people told the council they wanted support with which are:

Four outcomes

1. I am heard
2. I am safe and secure
3. I am healthy
4. I am aspirational and successful

The work by the council and partners will follow three key principles which are:

1. Listening to children, young people and families
2. Strengthening communications
3. Building a great workforce

Mark Palethorpe, Executive Director for People's Services at St Helens Borough Council, said: 

Read the proposed strategy here.