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What is Tools for Schools? How can the Inclusion Framework and OAIP support my setting?

Find out more on our info page

Examples of ways to gather child or young person’s views

Time and ears are the main tools you need to listen to hear, not listen to respond.

  • Visual observations and written notes – please see observations page for more information
  • Use of video recording – share in discussions
  • Books and photographs to prompt discussions
  • Puppets/dolls/small world play/avatars
  • Questioning – please see questioning page for more information
  • Music/art work
  • Providing choices
  • Drawings
  • Story writing – can provide a ‘space’ between the child or young person’s internal world and external reality and help them make sense of emotions and deal with issues which may otherwise be overwhelming.
  • Sand tray and other play-based strategies

Resources, workshops and groups to support the voice of children and young people with SEND

Children and young people with SEND aged up to 25 can share what’s important to them via the Children and Learning Engagement Hub. The hub offers online ways for young people to have a say, and shares resources and information on workshops, groups and participation projects. Schools, colleges and settings can also request an online youth voice workshop ,find the themed resource packs as they develop, and find out more about the sensory story and creative arts voice projects . You can also view the calendar of monthly themes, and dates for online workshops. Watch the SEND Participation Lead’s short video message . The Hub want to hear from all children and young people, across a wide range of needs and experiences. Young people’s views will help shape their new SEND Joint Commissioning Strategy, feed into the ongoing work of the SEND and Inclusion Strategy, and keep children, young people and families at the centre of improving services. You can contact Lauren Boal, SEND Participation Lead, to discuss anything regarding youth voice and SEND here

Useful websites:

East Sussex County Council – A toolkit developed for ‘Assessment for learning’. It can be used to gain Pupil Voice individually through to a whole school approach.

Derby City Council has developed several toolkits to gain pupil views.

Promoting The Voices Of Autistic Children | University of Southampton

The Autism Community Research Network @ Southampton (ACoRNS) is a collaboration between Southampton researchers and local schools, colleges and nurseries who are interested in researching and sharing good practice in educational provision for children on the autism spectrum. ACoRNS was set up in 2017 with funding from the University’s Public Engagement with Research Unit (PERU). Research focuses on how to access the voices and views of children in meaningful ways that can give educational settings a real understanding of each child.

Autism Transitions: An autism transitions project. This project is a collaboration between The University of Southampton and Aviary Nursery in Eastleigh.

Last updated 20 March 2024

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