The importance of enabling young people to have a voice in decisions regarding their life and learning is central to SEND policy. Young people's participation should be encouraged in all decision-making processes including setting individual targets, support plans and contributing to assessments and reviews. Colleges need to promote a culture of ensuring they have listened to young people’s voices across a range of issues and young people need to be taught and supported to contribute appropriately and effectively.
- Research suggests that listening to the views of young people with SEND is highly beneficial for all. It increases young people's motivation, independence, perception of personal control and progress.
- When young people are part of decision-making processes, they can provide appropriate information about their skills and abilities and offer their views about possible interventions, enhancing the likelihood of successful outcomes (Todd, 2003).
- The SEND Code of Practice makes it very clear that young people's views should be sought throughout any process of planning or assessment; every assess-plan-do-review cycle is an opportunity to enable young people to be involved in decision making.
- It is up to adults to ensure that young people see the impact of their contribution, as many young people become frustrated when their voice appears to be ignored or the gathering of their views is tokenistic.