In 2025, a group of young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) from Dudley came together to share their thoughts and ideas. The event was part of a national project called Making Participation Work, run by the charity KIDS. The goal was to help young people have a say in how services in Dudley are planned and improved.
Young people talked about:
- What participation means – being listened to and having a voice.
- Who listens to them – family, friends, teachers, care staff, and health workers.
- What good listening looks like – eye contact, paying attention, and making changes based on what they say.
- What they want to see on the Local Offer website – clear information, pictures, videos, and topics that matter to them.
They shared ideas for what should be included on the Local Offer:
- Getting out and about – transport, leisure, and community events.
- Having fun – safe activities, clubs, and places to meet friends.
- Getting a job – support with CVs, interviews, and flexible work.
- Friends and relationships – meeting people, setting boundaries, and staying safe online.
- Independent living – cooking, bills, housing, and learning to drive.
- Education – tips for revision, school info, and how learning helps with future goals.
- Health – mental and physical health, how to get help, and healthy living.
They also said they prefer websites that:
- Use pictures and videos.
- Avoid too much text or jargon.
- Are easy to read and colourful.
You can find the full report and recommendations below:
Young people said they want to keep working with Dudley Council. Most said they would like a way for young people with SEND to meet and share ideas. Others liked the idea of being visited at school or in care homes to talk and share ideas.
The Council has been asked to:
1. Share what young people said with staff across Dudley.
This has been completed. The report from KIDS was put online on the Local Offer.
2. Use the feedback to improve the Local Offer and other services.
The Local Offer has been improved following the feedback from the young people with SEND. The Council is also making ongoing improvements to the Local Offer so it will get even better over time.
3. Set priorities based on what matters most to young people.
Dudley Council and its partners have reflected on what young people have shared. This is what they are going to do:
- Develop a way for young people with SEND to share ideas and make suggestions about what is important to them. This should be in place by mid-2026. The Council will work with young people with SEND to make sure that what is developed works well for young people. This is called co-production.
- The first thing to be discussed will be how young people with SEND can prepare well for becoming an adult. This is because we know from the Parent Carer Forum annual survey that this is something that matters to young people and does not always work well now. Young people with SEND will be asked about what would make it easier for them as they get older and become an adult.
- Dudley Council and its partners will need to tell young people with SEND what they are going to do with any ideas that are put to them about what is going wrong or about how to make things better. This makes sure that young people with SEND know what happens after they make suggestions.
We know that some young people with SEND may not be in a special school and some may not be in school at all. All young people with SEND have experiences of what works well and know where things are going wrong. This makes it important for the Council to listen to as many people with SEND as possible and work together to make things better.
The council will make sure that visits are made to care homes and schools to tell young people with SEND about the work that is happening. At these visits young people with SEND will be asked for their views and suggestions on the work that is taking place. This makes sure that as many people as possible help to tell the council about what is working well and what is going wrong for them.
When young people are listened to, they feel respected and valued. Their ideas can help make services better for everyone. Dudley Council is working to make sure young people with SEND are part of the conversation and can help shape the future.
Young Person-Friendly Resources
This part of the Hub helps young people who have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) understand how they can get support in school or college.
It explains:
- What SEND means – like having trouble with learning, talking, moving, or staying calm.
- Your rights – you have the right to learn and be supported.
- Help you can get – like extra time in tests, quiet spaces, or someone to help you in class.
- Who can help – teachers, SENCOs (special needs teachers), and support staff.
- Real examples – like using headphones to block noise or getting help with reading.
It’s made to help you feel confident and know what support is there for you in education.
This part of the Hub is full of fun things to do at home. You can choose activities that help you feel calm, happy, or creative. You don’t need special tools – just things you already have at home.
Here are some examples:
- Doodle Your Anxiety – draw your feelings to help let go of worries.
- Snack Creation – mix and match foods to make tasty snacks.
- Focus on Positivity – find good things in your day and feel better.
- Winter Photography – take cool pictures of winter scenes.
- Grounding Exercise – calm your mind and body with simple steps.
- Feel-Good Music – listen to music that lifts your mood.
- Relaxing Body Scan – notice how your body feels and relax.
- Sensory Exploration – explore textures, smells, and sounds.
- Self-Love – think about what makes you awesome and be kind to yourself.
You can do these activities anytime, and they’re made to help you feel good, learn new things, and have fun.
iZone is a website made for young people in Dudley. It helps you find health and wellbeing support, fun activities, and trusted services near you.
What can you do on iZone?
- Explore the Health Wheel – learn about mental health, physical health, emotional wellbeing, sexual health, and more.
- Find activities – like youth clubs, sports, creative sessions, and events happening near you.
- Get support – find help with things like anxiety, relationships, staying healthy, and growing up.
- Discover local groups – like Scouts, tennis clubs, and after-school SEND clubs.
- Learn from stories – follow characters like Oscar and Martha as they deal with school, friendships, and changes in life.
Why use iZone?
It’s a safe and easy way to:
- Find things to do
- Get help when you need it
- Learn how to take care of yourself
- Connect with people and places that support young people
Last updated: 11/05/2026