Who we are

Barnsley Inclusive Youth Voice is a representative name for young people aged 11 to 25 who have either:

  • special educational needs or disabilities (SEND)
  • social, emotional or mental health (SEMH) difficulties

These young people represent themselves, their educational settings, youth groups and peers. They meet regularly with wider youth groups to share experiences.

What we do

Inclusive Youth Voice participants work with fellow Youth Council members, Care4Us Council members and council decision makers. They make sure young people with SEND or SEMH difficulties are consulted and can contribute to have a positive impact on change. This ensure services reflect their needs.

Key priorities

Our key priorities we'd like to improve on are:

  1. Educational provisions and staff understanding of SEND - young people would like more staff training and SEND support.
  2. Preparation for independence - young people would like better chances to build skills and more SEND employment opportunities.  
  3. Health and wellbeing - young people would like clear pathways and support for diagnosis, with better and faster support for mental health.
  4. Social activities - young people would like more activities and clubs for young people with SEND.
  5. Transport to be made more accessible.
  6. Accessible community spaces and support to build the skills needed to become independent in the community.
  7. Bullying - young people don't condone bullying, they want to create a society of inclusion, acceptance and understanding.

Weekly campaign sessions

Each Monday, Inclusive Youth Voice representatives meet with youth councillors and Care4Us Council members. They work on topics that fall into the most recent Make Your Mark votes. These topics were voted as top issues by young people locally.

Monthly social sessions

Once a month Inclusive Youth Voice representatives, youth councillors and Care4Us Council members can come together without a work focus. They take part in team games, socialise and maintain relations with the Youth Voice team, encouraging social collaboration and interaction.

Participation and engagement for young people, parents and carers

We make sure all children and young people with SEND have a voice and have chances to take part. We also raise awareness, increase understanding, and influence change through contribution and commitment.

Our young people said: 'We work really hard with the youth voice team and decision makers. We make sure all young people with SEND have a voice. Their voices, as well as ours, are now being heard recognised and addressed.'

Read our engagement and participation strategy.

SEND local offer

The Barnsley SEND local offer includes information about support and services for young people with SEND.

We want all young people and children to access and give feedback on how we can improve our local offer. Young people with SEND have some great ideas. They know all about the sort of services that should be available on the local offer. They know what services are needed to support young people move towards independence and adulthood.

 

Join the Inclusive Youth Voice group

We want to give all young people in Barnsley with SEND or SEMH difficulties the chance to have their voices heard and be involved in decision making on matters that affect them. You can do this by joining our Inclusive Youth Voice group.

If you're interested in representing your educational setting or youth group and are willing to meet regularly with your peers, please email tyssend@barnsley.gov.uk.

Useful links