Young Voices - A group for young people with SEND and/or additional needs.

What is Young Voices?

Young Voices is a youth group in West Sussex made up of young people with additional needs (including SEND and neurodivergent conditions) up to the age of 25.

What do we do?

Our aim is to influence positive change within WSCC services whilst also having fun and making friends.

We meet every fortnight on Thursdays at 5.30-&7.00pm and our meetings are hybrid; in person and online.

It's not all work! We also have regular social meetings in person and these are planned with the young people based on their needs and interests. Some past socialsContinue reading

What is Young Voices?

Young Voices is a youth group in West Sussex made up of young people with additional needs (including SEND and neurodivergent conditions) up to the age of 25.

What do we do?

Our aim is to influence positive change within WSCC services whilst also having fun and making friends.

We meet every fortnight on Thursdays at 5.30-&7.00pm and our meetings are hybrid; in person and online.

It's not all work! We also have regular social meetings in person and these are planned with the young people based on their needs and interests. Some past socials have included craft sessions, meals out, bowling, board games cafe and crazy golf.

You do not have to have a diagnosis or an EHCP to join us as we follow the social model of disability.

How can I find out more?

Please see our FAQ section on the right hand side of your screen for more information

Who do I contact if I need help or more information?

Please email voice@westsussex.gov.uk or lauren.boal@westsussex.gov.uk

Alternate formats:

If you need this information in an alternative format, please contact us on 0330 222 6678 or email voice@westsussex.gov.uk If you are deaf or hard of hearing and have an NGT texting app installed on your computer, laptop or smartphone, you can contact us on 18001 0330 222 6678.

Data Protection/Privacy Notice

The Voice and Participation Team collect personal and special category data the processing of which is necessary to enable us to be compliant with the law (general well-being duties), and for reasons of substantial public interest. The data will be processed in accordance with the 2018 Data Protection Act, the General Data Protection Regulations, and any subsequent data protection legislation. The data we collect be securely stored and kept for period of up to 2 years before being appropriately destroyed. The data we will collect will not be used for any other purpose than that stated above without your prior written consent. West Sussex County Council is registered as Data Controller (Reg. No. Z6413427). For further details and information about our Data Controller, please see our privacy policy. Review our West Sussex County Council Data Privacy Policy (opens in new window).

Tell us about your experiences

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West Sussex SEND and Inclusion forum would like to hear what you think about services in West Sussex to help us improve and share what works well. Please use the link below to add your views to the online Padlet comment board SEND voice Padlet ( opens in a new tab)
or email voice@westsussex.gov.uk to take part using alternative formats using the subject heading 'SEND voice'
Area SEND Inspection Survey

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CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) are visiting West Sussex as part of an inspection. They will be looking at arrangements for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) aged 0 - 25. They would like to hear from parent and carers, children and young people and practitioners about the support you get and how this is helping you.

You can do this by completing an online survey at the link here(External link).

Your views are important to them. They will help inspectors understand experiences of SEND arrangements in your area. The survey will close at 9am on 21 November 2023.
PMLD Awareness day

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CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

Friday 5th May is PMLD awareness day.
What does PMLD mean?
PMLD is an abbreviation which stands for, Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities.
PMLD is used to describe a diverse group of people with a complex range of difficulties. Children and adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities have more than one disability, the most significant of which is a profound learning disability. People with PMLD may have additional sensory or physical disabilities, complex health needs or mental health difficulties.
How can young people with PMLD have a voice?
People with PMLD have difficulties with communicating, so AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) is really important to support and include them . Want to know more about AAC? You can find out more on this link Communication Matters website (opens in a new tab)
Mencap and PMLD link have done some work on how people with PMLD can be involved in decision making and have a voice. You can find out more on the links below.
Mencap website ( opens in a new tab)
PMLD Link website ( opens in a new tab)
It often helps people with PMLD to engage using all their senses- smell, taste, touch, sight, hearing and other sensory experiences.
This PMLD awareness day why not do some sensory art or play?
You can download our sensory play ideas here Download Sensory play ideas word document ( opens in a new tab)
Youth Ambassador Meetings

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Youth Ambassadors is our group for young people aged 16 to 25 who want to have a say. We meet online, with an in person option in Worthing for those that prefer this.
To make sure our meetings are a safe space to share your views, we need to know who everyone is that comes along. This means everyone must complete a membership form to take part.
You are welcome to attend all our meetings, or just the ones you are interested in. For meeting links and further details please email lauren.boal@westsussex.gov.uk.
Group meetings not for you? Can't commit to monthly meetings? Email us to talk about ways you can have your say in individual projects and volunteer roles like researchers, meeting reps and training assistants.
Monthly Zoom meetings for 16 to 25s two Thursdays a month 5.30pm until 7.00pm (face to face option available too)
Agenda each month is
- Discussion and interactive polls/quizzes on the current topic
- Fun quiz
- Creative activity- crafts, film, music etc.
- Any other business/ discussion topics anyone wants to raise
Youth Voice Matters

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In February half term five young people represented West Sussex at the annual Youth Voice Matters conference in Manchester. Our delegates enjoyed the event and said the workshops were ‘really good’ and ‘thought provoking’. We also enjoyed some social time including bowling and pizza. The Voice and Participation Team are so proud of our young people speaking up at the conference, including giving their feedback to the Department for Education. You can find out more about this national event here Council For Disabled Children website ( opens in a new window)
The Voice and Participation Team offer a variety of groups and events throughout the year. Why not join us? We’ve got lots planned in the months ahead including arts and crafts, games, barbeques, farm visits, camp craft, Ninja Warrior and pizza nights. We also offer online sessions with quizzes, crafts and chat.
Follow us on the socials
Instagram yourspacewestsussex
Twitter wsyourspace
Facebook YourSpace West Sussex
Email the team voice@westsussex.gov.uk