Author: Kelly Drew

July 2026

This month, we were lucky enough to meet up in person for our annual 'Year Gone, Year Ahead' feedback and planning session, fuelled by pizza and brownies! 

We crammed as much as we could into the four-hour session and were so impressed by the honest, thoughtful feedback that members gave us. 

Members looked back at all of the different activities they have been involved in over the last year, from interviewing the new Engagement and Advice Officers to meeting in person multiple times and, of course, consulting with a variety of professionals from across the SEND sector.

 

Members Highlights from the year included:
  • Being a part of the judging panel for The Flourish Awards
  • People listening to what I have to say
  • Speaking to an Educational Psychologist from UEA
  • Seeing my friends achieve their goals
  • Getting good feedback from the professionals we’ve helped!
  • Getting to be on the interview panel
  • Laughing with everybody
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Next year, members would like to have more:
  • Professionals explaining themselves clearly
  • Professionals providing feedback on how our opinions have been used
  • Credit for our input to a services development
  • Young people recruited to the group
  • New locations for meetups

We also shared the brand new 'Who Are Norfolk SENDIASS? Children and Young People's Edition' easy-read document with members, which they passionately reviewed. I'm pleased to say that the document has now been updated with their recommendations and is ready to be used.

Another key point that came from the discussion was how new members are recruited. We recognise that, at the moment, a lengthy Microsoft Form and email follow-up may not be the most user-friendly approach, so we'll be looking at how we can improve this for 2027.

The SEND Youth Forum doesn't meet in August, so the team now has time to properly review all of the feedback and start planning for the year ahead. We look forward to seeing everyone again on September 23rd.

If you or someone you know has SEND, lives in Norfolk, and is under 25 – They can see what the Youth Forum is like for themselves by signing up here: Registration Form | Norfolk SENDIASS. We are always welcoming new members and there is no pressure to contribute until you’re ready.

Emma Henry, Engagement and Advice Worker