Lincolnshire Young Voices (LYVs) is a group of young people with experience of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). LYVs have been working with professionals to help them communicate better with children and young people with SEND.
Lincolnshire Young Voices have developed an online training programme to help professionals improve their communication skills. The training is aptly named ‘A rough guide to not putting your foot in it!’ and was launched with great acclaim to key leads across Education, Health, Social Care, Lincolnshire Police, Council for Disabled Children, NHSE and Kids Charity amongst others.
Jo Tolley, Lincolnshire Young Voices co-chair, said: “We knew GPs and other professionals wanted more training on working and communicating with those with SEND. We knew we were the perfect people to fill the gap in the market because we collectively and individually have lived experience of disabilities and additional needs and an abundance of passion to inspire change for people in our position and those around them.
“The Lincolnshire Young Voices committee members have used their lived experience of disability to create a resource which is honest, yet light-hearted. The training programme is a testament to their talent, determination, and passion to influence change. The overriding message they’ve chosen to share is one that not only professionals can learn from: We all get it wrong or ‘put our foot in it’ sometimes, but keep trying, keep communicating.
Emma Cross, Lincolnshire Young Voices co-chair, added: “We’re confident the training will boost professionals’ confidence when communicating with people who have special educational needs and disabilities.
“It highlights the importance of good communication by sharing case studies, including top tips for having a productive conversation and how to avoid any awkward ones. Crucially, the programme incorporates a document that will enable professionals to get to know an individual before they meet with them – resulting in better outcomes for those with SEND.”
Currently the e-learning resource sits in the Lincolnshire Safeguarding Partnership website for use in induction and Continued Professional Development
For Children’s services staff: Link to the LSCP is here Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Partnership – Training – Lincolnshire County Council
For Adult Services staff: Link to LSAB is here Lincolnshire Safeguarding Adults Board – LSAB training – Lincolnshire County Council
Lincolnshire Young Voices are a pan-disability participation group. They research and act upon issues faced by young people with SEND. The group is funded by Lincolnshire County Council and supported by Lincolnshire NHS. Their aims are to improve accessibility – in its broadest terms -support services and raise awareness of SEND. For more information on their work, visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/youngvoices or take a look at our YouTube link https://youtu.be/wY8F1XQvhjA
Can we help develop your understanding of SEN support in schools?
We deliver a training programme covering topics such as:
The training programme is delivered via Microsoft Teams over three 1 hour sessions.
For more information or to book the training programme, please contact liaise@lincolnshire.gov.uk
The NHS, Lincolnshire County Council, Lincolnshire Parent Carer Forum (LPCF) and Aspens are offering an online support workshop for parents and carers of children and young people with sensory processing difficulties. Follow the link to book onto a workshop https://www.lincolnshirechildrenstherapyservices.nhs.uk/training
Workshops dates from March 2023 to March 2024.