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General feedback
Feedback from young people who attended the SEND summit 12.02.25
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| Response and next steps |
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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:
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:
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. Give it a Go is now an annual event for schools, delivered by Child Friendly Leeds, Voice Influence and Change and Leeds Trinity University. 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 producing a things to do and places to visit resource that will be launched in October 2026. |
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 SEND and AP Improvement Board.
You Said We Did case studies
We have developed case studies to share how young people in Leeds have affected change.
- Leeds SEND Youth Council
- Takeover of the Leeds Area SEND and AP Partnership Board (now Leeds SEND and AP Improvement Board)
If you have any further questions about the issues tracker please email VIC@leeds.gov.uk
City wide issues raised by young people
Fun activities outside of school
Education, Health and Care Plans
| Children and young people said… |
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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. The resources will be launched at the beginning of the 2026/27 academic year. |
Preparing for adulthood
| Children and young people said… |
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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 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. The resources will be launched at the beginning of the 2026/27 academic year. |
Disability awareness
| Children and young people said… |
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General feedback
Feedback from young people who attended the SEND summit 12.02.25
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| Response and next steps |
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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/ The Leeds SEND Youth Council are a group of young people who work together to share their views, speak up for others, and help make Leeds more inclusive. They hosted an event ‘This is Us: Proud to Belong’ during disability pride month (July 2026) to celebrate and raise awareness of disabilities. |
Mental health support
| Children and young people said… |
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General feedback
Feedback from young people who attended the SEND summit 12.02.25
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| Response and next steps |
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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… |
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General feedback
Feedback from young people who attended the SEND summit 12.02.25
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 |
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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. |
Sensory rooms in all schools
| Children and young people said... |
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SEND Youth Council (August 2026) Young people highlighted the need for dedicated support and sensory rooms in all schools, providing safe, calming spaces that are accessible when needed. Suggested features include colouring activities, fidget resources, comfortable seating such as beanbags and chairs, dimmable lighting, mindfulness activities, and opportunities for self-expression. Young people also emphasised the importance of access to support staff, therapy or support dogs, and a simple card system allowing students to discreetly access support spaces during the school day. For sensory rooms, they requested improved staff training on sensory needs, interactive resources, comfortable areas to sit or lie down, and greater consideration of SEND accessibility. |
| Response and next steps |
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Issues brought to a close
SEND training and support for school staff (February 2026)
| Children and young people said… |
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General feedback
Feedback from young people who attended the SEND summit 12.02.25
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 |
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Localised issues from Takeover of the Leeds SEND and AP Improvement Board (Nov 2025)
On Tuesday 25th November 2025, 33 students from Future Steps Broomfield, Powerhouse West SILC, Pivot Academy, Green Meadows Academy, The Bridge East SILC, John Jamieson East SILC, Penny Field school and Enterprise and Employability Leeds City College took over the Leeds Area SEND and AP Partnership Board as part of national takeover challenge.
The aim of the takeover was to:
- Learn about each other.
- Learn about the issues that are important to young people with SEND.
- Agree how services will work with students to tackle the issues raised.
| School / setting | What young people raised | What has happened |
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| Future Steps, Broomfield South SILC | Lack of safe spaces for young people with SEND |
Sensory spaces Leeds City Museum have a Sensory Nook on temporary loan for a month. During the month of October 2026, the museum will be consulting with young people and visitors to gather their feedback on the space. Students from Future Steps Broomfield attended to give their feedback. Sensory Nook | Leeds Museums and Galleries | Days out and exhibitions Things to do and places to visit The Leeds Local Offer team have worked with the SEND Youth Council to develop a Things to do and places to visit booklet that will be launched in October 2026. The ‘things to do’ section on the Leeds Local Offer website has been reviewed and update. Things to do | Leeds Local Offer click here to download the case study. |
| Green Meadows | Playgrounds to be accessible and inclusive |
Officers from Leeds City Council consulting with students from the school when new play areas are being developed. Students have been involved in providing feedback about Meanwood Valley and Horsforth Numerical Playground. click here to download the case study. |
| Pivot Academy | Raise awareness of the Sunflower Lanyard |
The Leeds Local Offer and Child Friendly Leeds Teams have developed and published information about the Sunflower Lanyard that has been added to the Raising Awareness of Disabilities pages on the Leeds Local Offer and Child Friendly Leeds websites. The information includes
click here to download the case study. |
| Pennyfield School | Access to playground equipment and a shelter at school |
The school are setting up a fundraising team with staff and parents. Information about funding opportunities have also been shared with the school, with the offer of support to progress with these. |
| The Bridge, East SILC | Improvements to Home to School Transport |
The Passenger Transport Team reviewed the route planning for journeys. The service actively encourages drivers to dress up for Red Nose Day and Xmas. All Drivers and PA’s receive support via their Appraisals around their role as a driver. Refresher training to all PA’s and Drivers is via a rolling programme. click here to download the case study. |
| John Jamieson, East SILC | The need for a pedestrian crossing outside of the school to support independent travel training. |
Whilst there is no formal drawing of any proposals for a crossing in this location, it is a scheme that has been placed on our future programme of works. The Safer Roads Programme budget runs in 5-year cycles and the current programme (2022-26) is now in its final year. We are currently in the process of putting together the 2027-32 Safer Roads Programme which will need to be agreed with our colleagues in the West Yorkshire Combined Authority by Summer 2026. Following this we will be looking to apportion all our prospective schemes into this 5-year programme to determine when they can be delivered. click here to download the case study. |
| Enterprise and Employability, Leeds City College | Access to leisure and sporting activities through college | Active Leeds are working with students to explore possible leisure and sporting activities that can be accessed during the college day. |