Children and young people should, wherever possible, contribute
to their assessment of need. Their views, perceptions and wishes
are as important as those of other contributors, and their right to
have these considered is reinforced in the revised SEN Code of
Practice. The Code makes it very clear that the expectation is that
even very young children or those with significant communication
difficulties will be supported creatively to express their views and
have them recorded and considered.
These guidelines are intended to be helpful to the children / young
people themselves, but also to those who may be supporting them
in recording their views. A number of people could be well-placed
to do this, and the children / young people and those working
closely with them will need to agree who can most effectively take
on this role.
The form should not be completed without the parents’ / carers’
knowledge, as they will need to give permission for the interview to
take place, and the outcomes should be discussed with them and
a copy of the form made available to them.
The form is a guide and may need to be varied according to the
age of the child / young person. Children / young people with
communication difficulties may require special arrangements to
help them communicate their views. The SEN Toolkit (Section 4:
Enabling Pupil Participation) provides some guidance on ways in
which communication can be supported (eg through an interpreter,
a friend, an advocate, parents, signing, pictures and play
materials, audio, video, and interpreting non-verbal clues).
APPENDIX H
CHILD’S / YOUNG PERSON’S ADVICE
Please complete in black ink
Personal details
Surname
……………………………………
Other name(s)
…………………………………..
Date of Birth
…………………….
Pre-school/School
………………………………………
This is a chance for you to say how you think things
are going. You can tell us about what you’re good at
and enjoy, and about things you find hard.
There are no right answers – just say what you think!
It’s really important that we understand how you feel
and any ideas you have about how we might help you
more.
You can have some help to fill in the form if you like.
1.
How do you think you are getting on?
2.
What are you good at?
3.
What do you find hard? Why?
4.
Where do you feel you are getting on well? What
helps you to do that?
5.
How do you get on with teachers and other staff?
6.
How do you get on with other children/young people?
7.
What would help you to do better?
8.
What do you enjoy doing at home and at the weekend or on holiday?
9.
What would you hope to do well at over the next year
or so?
10.
Is there anything else that you would like to say?
…………………………………………(Name of child/young person)
1.
has been able to record his/her own views
2.
has been able to communicate his/her views, which I have
written down
Signature of child/young person
…………………………….
Signature of helper
…………………………………………..
Date of completion
…………………………………………..
Date discussed with parents/carers
………………………
Date copy sent to parents/carers
………………………