We asked children, young people, families and carers to provide feedback on how our current systems and responses make you feel. We heard that how we communicate and conduct our business impacts children, young people and families in the following ways:

Feeling dismissed and judged

“battle to be heard and get support”

“everything is a fight”

“I fear that I will not be believed or listened to”

Lack of trust

“I contacted professionals and didn’t get a response, I was left waiting and when information arrived it contained lots of inaccuracies, this made me feel there was a lack of respect and care”

False promises

“The promises that are made fade away”

“The actions don’t seem to be carried out as promised”

“Professionals are not always transparent about the plans in place for their children”

Not understanding us/me

The knowledge, skills and understanding of the workforce for SEND means that parents/carers and young people reported that they did not feel understood and their unique experiences were not built upon and supported.

In response to this, we asked children and young people to co-produce the behaviours and values that they would want everybody who comes into contact with them and their families to adopt and demonstrate.

Groups of children and young people in schools, voluntary and community groups and SEND focus groups identified six key values and behaviours that are important to be able to build trust and overcome the difficulties that currently exist within our system. This pledge explains these values and asks that every practitioner adopts these across our local area.