Issues tracker

Issues raised by children and young people

The Voice, Influence and Change Team at Leeds City Council provide opportunities for children and young people in Leeds to have a voice and influence in education, health and social care services in Leeds.  

The issues tracker is a mechanism to log the issues raised by children and young people and what action has been taken to raise these issues with services. 

All issues and challenges raised are shared with the Voice and Influence Transparency Working Group and subsequently with the Leeds Area SEND Partnership Board. 

You Said We Did case studies

We have developed case studies to share how young people in Leeds have affected change. 

If you have any further questions about the issues tracker please email VIC@leeds.gov.uk 

issues tracker children and young people

City wide issues raised by young people

Fun activities outside of school

Children and young people said...

General feedback

  • SEND training for activity providers.
  • Holding groups and activity providers accountable for accessibility. 

Feedback from young people who attended the SEND summit 12.02.25

  • Some clubs are too noisy
  • SEND friendly discos / roller discos
  • More free events
  • Timings of clubs
  • More games / computer clubs
  • More PAs to support yp
  • More school trips
  • More outdoor activities
  • More music groups
  • More local SEND events
  • Promote clubs and events better
Response and next steps

Review of short breaks and fun activities (2024)

The Commissioning Team at Leeds City Council used the established Voice, Influence and Change (VIC) networks, Leeds Local Offer site and social media accounts to share information and encourage families to share their views. 

As part of this Short Breaks review, the Commissioning Team engaged with children and young people by: 

  • Consulting with the SEND Youth Forum on 19th October 2023.
  • Consulting with students who attended the SEND Summit on the 14th November 203. 
  • Consulting via an online survey. 

All feedback received from the consultations will inform the current review of Short Breaks and Fun Activities in Leeds.

The consultation report can be found here. 

Leeds City Council Leisure Centres

The SEND Youth Council mystery shopped Leeds City Council leisure centre in 2025, and met with senior leaders to share their recommendations. 

The Leisure Centre team are: 

  • reviewing the website to improve navigation for user groups to see city wide access.
  • Rolling out training to all staff. 
  • Testing out SEND swimming sessions. 
  • Investing in alternative gym equipment options. 
  • Sharing information about the sun flower lanyard with all staff. 

Information about the mystery shop can be found here.

Give it a go event for schools 

Child Friendly Leeds worked in partnership with Leeds Trinity University to host the second Give it a Go event in May 2025. The event that gives students an opportunity to try out different sports and activities in a safe environment. 

Leeds Trinity University will host the event again in 2026. 

Information about fun activities outside of schools

The Leeds Local Offer website had a dedicated page about fun activities and things to do outside school.

The Leeds Local Offer team have promoted the Things to do page to families via their social media and at Leeds Local Offer Live. 

The Leeds Local Offer team are exploring ways to promote information on the Leeds Local Offer website to young people. 

Spectrum festival – an accessible music event

East SILC host an annual SEND friendly festival for all gig-goers. 

The event is promoted to families via schools and the Leeds Local Offer. 

Education, Health and Care Plans

Children and young people said…

SEND Change Programme consultation feedback

A significant proportion of young people are unaware they have an EHCP (Education Health Care Plan); consequently, the majority are either unaware of or do not have regular reviews to update their plans.
Response and next steps
The Voice, Influence and Change Team and SENDIASS are working with young people to develop e-publications and you tube shorts to provide information to young people in an accessible format. As part of this project information will be developed about Education, Health and Care Plans. 

Preparing for adulthood

Children and young people said…

SEND Change Programme consultation feedback

A significant challenge is the feeling that education settings do not adequately prepare students for independent living, and adulthood. 
Response and next steps
The Voice, Influence and Change Team and SENDIASS are working in partnership with young people to develop preparing for adulthood resources (Dec 2025 to March 2026).

Disability awareness

Children and young people said…

General feedback

  • Disability awareness amongst peers.
  • Disability celebration. 
  • People being supportive of needs
  • People to care.
  • Standardising accessibility, for example easy read, different coloured backgrounds.

Feedback from young people who attended the SEND summit 12.02.25

  • Make the public of Leeds more aware of disabilities and SEN
  • Leaflets and information
  • Educate people on ASC, ADHD and dyslexia
  • Information about safe places in Leeds.
  • Campaign days to raise awareness of SEND.
  • Inclusivity around communication. 
  • Give people time to process.
  • Put symbols on signs around Leeds.
Response and next steps

Raising awareness of disabilities campaign

Child Friendly Leeds and the Voice, Influence and Change Team spoke to young people about what this means to them and a clear message was around raising awareness of disabilities, particularly hidden disabilities – where the disability may not be obvious just by looking at the person.

This kickstarted an art project, asking young people “How can Leeds be more inclusive to those with hidden disabilities?”, so that children and young people are not feeling judged.

The artwork created by young people has been developed into 3 poster - these will help to spread awareness of the perspective of young people in Leeds with hidden disabilities.

https://wearechildfriendlyleeds.com/raising-awareness-of-disabilities/ 

Mental health support

Children and young people said…

General feedback

  • Better support for over 18 year olds. 
  • Mental health support for all.
  • Tailored support for young people with SEND. 
  • Access to CAMHS to be made easier. 

Feedback from young people who attended the SEND summit 12.02.25

  • School staff to know where young people can receive support for their mental health.
  • More staff in school trained in mental health first aid.
Response and next steps

MindMate is the local website designed with young people, for young people, their families and professionals to provide a central place for information about common mental health issues. The website it there to help you explore emotional wellbeing and mental health issues and offer information about where support is available.

For young people over 18 years old Mindwell is the mental health website for people in Leeds. The website can help you find information about support in Leeds and different ways to take care of your mental wellbeing. 

There are a range of service in place in Leeds to support children and young people’s emotional and mental health that are commissioned to work across Leeds.  

Information about Mental Health services in Leeds can be found here. 

‘School staff to know where young people can reviewed support for their mental health’ 

These three links are aimed at school staff to help them understand the support available and to promote initiatives they can join as a schools: 

A new section on MindMate has been launched which is aimed at families  -  Help from your school - MindMate. There is an A-Z list of secondary schools so that families can link through to their individual school’s page to find out about the support offered (as it varies so much). MindMate worked with the Leeds Youth Council to produce this guide to help schools improve their webpages - Good Practice Guide. 

‘More staff trained in mental health first aid’

The health and Wellbeing team have a programme of training. 

Bullying and discrimination

Children and young people said…

General feedback

  • Lessons in school about bullying and discrimination linked to SEND.

Feedback from young people who attended the SEND summit 12.02.25

  • More assemblies in school about bullying and what to do if you are being bullied.

Yorkshire and Humber SEND Change Programme young people's report (December 2025)

Bullying is a significant and recurring challenge for many SEND young people in education. In most cases, young people have been forced to leave their schools because of bullying and discrimination. Young people felt that schools are unable to adequately deal with bullying and provide support to those affected.
Response and next steps

Child Friendly Leeds: 12 Wishes as a high profile and visible set of priorities (Including Wish 4). CFL Wish 4 Working Group, brings together a cross service group to look at bullying, discrimination and celebrating what connects us.

Leeds Healthy Schools Framework: PSHE/SEMH, bullying is included in both of these areas. This tool allows us to see how schools are grading these sections. Through schools work on healthy schools, we encourage them to have a pupil friendly version of the antibullying policy. 
Localised issues from Takeover of the Leeds Area SEND and AP Partnership Board – November 2025

Localised issues from Takeover of the Leeds Area SEND and AP Partnership Board – November 2025

Lack of safe spaces in Leeds

Issue raised by

Future Steps, Broomfield South SILC

Next steps and actions

Officers from Leeds City Museum and City Development are working with students to: 

  • Get a baseline of what safe spaces are already out there.
  • Develop a ‘what is a good safe space’, and encourage partners like WYCA , the NHS, council owned destinations, shopping centres and retailers to provide more safe spaces
  • Put together a list of what's available across the city and promote and advertise it in an accessible way. 

Accessible playgrounds and spaces

Issue raised by

Green Meadows Academy

Next steps and actions

Leeds City Council’s Park’s Technical Manager is working with students to: 

  • Provide feedback on inclusive play spaces designs within the draft 'Design Principles for Play' document.
  • Work with students on other playground improvements across the city as a regular consultee.

Raising awareness of the sunflower lanyard

Issue raised by

Pivot Academy

Next steps and actions

The Child Friendly Leeds Team are working with students to: 

  • Meet with the Sunflower team to explore teenage version.
  • Explore Disability ID Card.

Outdoor toys and shelter in the school playground

Issue raised by

Pennyfield School

Next steps and actions

Leeds City Council’s Play Lead is working with students to: 

  • Explore funding options with the school.
  • Explore play opportunities for students. 

Accessible and affordable activities including access to PAs, variety of activities, promotion and information for families

Issue raised by

Powerhouse, West SILC

Next steps and actions

Leeds City Council are working with students to: 

  • Develop information for PA’s. 

Home to school transport

Issue raised by

The Bridge, East SILC

Next steps and actions

Passenger Transport and Children’s Transport are working with students to: 

  • Review routes.
  • Drivers to dress up at Christmas.
  • Speak to drivers about roles.

Safety – pedestrian crossing outside school

Issue raised by

John Jamieson, East SILC

Next steps and actions

The Traffic Team at Leeds City Council are working with students to: 

  • Keep up to date on plans for crossing (on 26/27 list).
  • Invite local councillor into school to hear from students.

Access to leisure and sporting activities at college

Issue raised by

Enterprise and Employability, Leeds City College

Next steps and actions

Active Leeds are working with students to: 

  • Explore leisure and sporting activities that can provided in college. 
Issues brought to a close

Issues brought to a close

SEND training and support for school staff (February 2026)

Children and young people said…

General feedback

  • Training. 
  • After training support and resources.
  • Standardising accessibility in the learning environment, for example easy read, different coloured backgrounds. 

Feedback from young people who attended the SEND summit 12.02.25

  • Not enough movement breaks in class.
  • School staff to have awareness of different disabilities.
  • All teachers should have an understanding of students needs.

Yorkshire and Humber SEND Change Programme young people's report (December 2025)

Lack of Training/Understanding/Acceptance of ND and Additional Needs: professionals working with young people have very little or no knowledge of ND and haven’t had the training to be able to specifically support and respond to SEND young people. Lack of awareness and acceptance makes support inconsistent and ineffective. In most cases, it is the parents o young people who must challenge settings to listen and act.
Feedback 
  • SEND training offer for school staff and SENCOs delivered by Learning Inclusion. 
  • Promotion of the Leeds Local Offer to education, health and social care professionals. 
  • The Children and Families Workforce Development Team have developed an online SEND basic awareness training package for all Children and Families staff. There are four key principals that all staff will be expected to complete. The training will include lived experience from parents, carers, children and young people.  
  • Inclusive Mainstream Practice resources, and information for schools and families was launched in November 2025 and is available on the Leeds Local Offer website.