A survey of young people’s views to help planning for the Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) Reforms across Bournemouth, Dorset & Poole.
July 2015
SEND Reform Survey June 2015
Index
Handout Summary p.1
1. Key Findings and Recommendations p.2-5
2. Introduction p.6
3. Research Methods p.7
4. Demographics p.8-10
5. Future Plans p.11-12
6. How Students feel about leaving School/College? p.13
7. Information and Support p.14-17
People Who Help p.18-21
Finding out about Choices & Options p.22-25
Where to Get Help p.26-28
8. Listened To p.29-31
9. How Happy p.32-36
10. SEND Reforms p.37-38
11. Recommendations p.39-42
SEND Reform Survey June 2015
SEND Reform Survey June 2015
1. Key Findings & Recommendations
A total of 233 young people with disabilities completed the online survey in March and April 2015. 221 of these young people were students and of those just over half (52%) attended specialist schools, 31% attended mainstream schools and 17% attended college.
Information and Advice 84% of young people had enough information and support about their HEALTH. 73% of young people had enough information and support about LEISURE & HOBBIES. 54% of young people had enough information and support about GETTING A JOB. Only 51% of 17-18 year old said they had enough information about getting a job.
People who help The most common people who helped were: 81% PARENTS/CARERS 76% TEACHERS 44% FRIENDS
Students in mainstream school were less likely to get help from TEACHERS, 66% compared to 85% students in specialist schools and 82% at college.
Students in specialist schools most common source of support was TEACHERS (85%) then PARENTS/CARERS (79%). PARENTS/CARERS were the top choice for students at college and in mainstream school.
Students at college were more likely to get help from their PEERS, 58% from FRIENDS and 45% from BROTHERS and SISTERS.
Where to get help We asked young people WHERE they get information and advice and the 3 most common were: 76% INTERNET. 72% SCHOOL/COLLEGE. 32% LIBRARY.
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SEND Reform Survey June 2015
How young people would like to find out about choices and options The most common responses were: 70% TALK TO SOMEONE. 51% WEBSITE. 29% FACEBOOK.
How young people feel about leaving SCHOOL or COLLEGE 43% of students were HAPPY. 31% of students were WORRIED. 25% of students were POSITIVE. 22% of students were ANXIOUS.
Listened to The young people gave an average rating of 7.3 out of 10 for how well ADULTS LISTENED to them.
Expressing opinions The young people gave an average rating of 6.3 out of 10 for how CONDFIDENT they were about EXPRESSING THEIR OPINIONS.
Making decisions The young people gave an average rating of 5.9 out of 10 for how EASY they find it to MAKE DECISIONS.
Young people indicated that they found it easier to make decisions as they got older, averaging 5.7 for the 12 to 14 year olds, 6 for 15 to 16 year olds and 6.3 for the 17-18 year olds.
Happy Young people were asked to indicate on a scale of 1 to 10 how happy they were with a number of factors in life. FAMILY - 8.3 out of 10 AMOUNT OF CHOICE - 6.9 out of FRIENDS - 8.3 out of 10 10 FEELING SAFE - 7.7 out of 10 FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES - 6.9 out HEALTH - 7.6 out of 10 of 10 SCHOOL - 7.5 out of 10
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SEND Reform Survey June 2015
When we compared by gender, young women were more negative about everything except how happy they were about their friends. The biggest gaps were in amount of choice, 7.4 for young men compared to 6.3 for young women and health 8 for young men compared to 7.1 compared to young women.
Students at specialist schools were the most happy with SCHOOL, the average rating was 8 compared to 6.7 for students at mainstream schools.
SEND Reforms 45% of young people had heard of the new Education, Health & Care Plans. 26% of young people had heard of the Local Offer.
Our Recommendations
Internet: More visits to College Websites that are helpful and young “I’ve only been to Brockenhurst College people friendly and not too much once, I think it would be better if we could writing. visit the college we want to go to more Have links from school/college than once.” websites to other useful websites. Advertise links on facebook and twitter.
Information & Advice for Someone to talk to parents “The internet may answer your main “If parents are the ones that help the most questions but it’s the little questions that then they need to have more information are important to get to ask someone in so they can help you.” person about. It’s better to talk to someone face to face because they can then answer your questions directly.” Talks from older students
“We’re more likely to listen to someone our
own age or just a bit older.”
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Young Researchers SEND Reform Survey June 2015
More help getting a job and becoming independent: Practical help with application forms and interview skills. More opportunities to do work experience at school and college. Advisors that respect you and help you to find work. Employers need training and support for employing people with disabilities.
“We need more help with practical stuff “Show more kindness and support towards like practicing for interviews or filing out us. Help us with things we don’t job application forms.” understand and to help teach companies more about disabilities and how they can “Need more chances to do work train us for the working world.” experience so you know what you are doing and get experience.”
Practice and support to make decisions “It's hard because if you don't get much practice, you won't know how. Young people need to be able to make bad decisions before making good; if you start with small decisions then the big ones won't be so big. Naturally young people can get scared because what they chose will affect their future but by helping them now, do what they want to do, will make it easier.”
Respect and valued “It really gets you down when you have great potential and people don’t understand.”
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Young Researchers SEND Reform Survey June 2015
2. Introduction
This report is part of the Young Researchers project 2014/15.
Youth Researchers Project SEND Reform: Background Young Researchers is a partnership project The government has recently introduced between young people in schools/ changes to the way services for young colleges, Action for Children and people with special educational needs Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole local and/or disabilities (SEND) are delivered. authorities. The Pan Dorset Programme Board implementing the changes across Young people are recruited from schools Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole and colleges and trained in research skills. commissioned the Young Researchers. They are then supported to carry out The research brief was to carry out an research that helps to shape service online survey with young people with development of local authorities and their special educational needs and/or partners. Young people get an opportunity disabilities to assist the Board with their to develop their employability skills and planning. are provided with practical learning experiences. The local authorities and their Students were recruited as Young partners get relevant and up-to-date Researchers from Beaucroft Foundation consultation with young people. School and Yewstock School.
The project is in its third year. Between July 2014 and April 2015 35 Young Attempts were made to recruit students Researchers were recruited across from schools in Bournemouth and Poole Bournemouth, Dorset & Poole. but these were unsuccessful. Learning for future projects is that more development They worked on 4 research projects: time is needed to work with young people, schools and parents to build confidence 1. Special Educational Needs & Disabilities and understanding to ensure young people Reforms: information, advice & wellbeing with disabilities get involved. survey. (Bournemouth, Dorset & Poole.) In order to ensure young people from
2. Wellbeing of 16-18 year old learners (Dorset) Bournemouth and Poole were involved
3. Retention: reasons for Year 12 not completing with the project, The Chatterboxes at courses. (Bournemouth, Dorset & Poole) Bournemouth YMCA provided us with access to their young people and in Poole 4. Making Career Choices (Bournemouth & the Pre Vocational Course at the College Poole) provided access to their students.
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Young Researchers SEND Reform Survey June 2015
3. Research Methods
Online Survey The research was carried out using an online survey that the Young Researchers from Beaucroft and Yewstock schools designed.
The Young Researchers were then assisted by The Chatterboxes group in Bournemouth to make a short video to explain the purpose of the survey and how to fill it in. This was used at the start of the online survey.
The Beaucroft and Yewstock students made presentations to give in assembly to encourage students at their school to complete the survey.
Across Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole local authorities’ key contacts sent out the links to all specialist and mainstream schools and colleges.
The survey was open in March and April 2015.
After cleaning the data 233 responses were useable for analysis.
Please note throughout the report that not all the figures add up to 100%. This is sometimes due to a multi –choice question but also where the percentages have been rounded up to whole numbers.
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4. Demographics
A total of 233 young people completed the survey and 221 were students from 19 different schools and college.
Where the students studied Students attending the following schools and colleges completed the survey.
Avonbourne Academy, Beaucroft Foundation School, Blandford School, Budmouth Technology College, Bournemouth and Poole College, Corfe Hills School, Glenmoor and Winton Academies, Kingston Maurward College, Linwood School, Poole Grammar School, Shaftesbury School, Sherborne Learning Centre, Sturminster Newton, Westfield Art College, Winchelsea School, Woodroffe School, Weymouth College, Wyvern School and Yewstock School.
Gender Age More young men completed this survey The majority of the students were aged (60%). between 12 and 19 years old. 12 to 14 year olds made up 44% of the survey. 29% were 15 to 16 years old and 21% were Breakdown by between 17 and 19 years old. GENDER
Female Male AGE Breakdown
44% 40%
60% 29%
21%
6%
12-14 yr 15-16 year 17-19 year Other olds olds olds
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Educational institution Just over half the survey respondents (52%) attended specialist schools. 31% attended mainstream schools and 17% went to college.
Breakdown by type of institution
52%
31%
17%
Specialist Mainstream College
Geography 56% of the respondents went to school in 56% of young people lived in Dorset, 24% Dorset, 32% in Poole and 12% in in Poole, 13% in Bournemouth and 6% Bournemouth. outside Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole boundaries.
Where students went Where young people to school or college lived 56% 56%
24% 32% 13% 6%
12%
Bournemouth Dorset Poole
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Young Researchers SEND Reform Survey June 2015
Disabilities The disability question was the least well filled in of our whole survey. 19% of the students did not complete this question. Of those who did, 49% indicated that they had a learning disability, 28% a social or emotional disability and 20% speech and language disabilities.
What disabilities do you have?
49%
28% 20% 19% 13% 13% 8% 10% 7%
Overall No of Disability % students Hearing 8% 18 Learning 49% 116 Physical 10% 23 Visual 7% 17 Speech and Language 20% 47 Social or emotional 28% 66 Communication 13% 30 Other 13% 31 No reply 19% 44
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5. Future Plans
We asked young people:
What would you like to do when you leave school/college?
It was a multi choice question so they could choose more than one answer.
The most common choice for students leaving SCHOOL was to go to college (51%). 21% of students wanted to go to work and 22% of students were ‘Not sure.’
What would you like to do when you leave school?
51%
21% 22% 11% 8% 2%
Go to College Apprenticeship Work Volunteer Not sure Other
We checked to see how old the ‘Not Sure’ pupils were. 29% of 12-14 years old were not sure, 8% of 15-16 year olds and 25% of 17-18 year olds at school.
What would you like to do when you leave school by AGE
12-14 year olds 15-16 year olds 17-18 year olds
65% 56% 42% 24% 29% 25% 18% 18% 19% 12% 7% 6% 8% 2% 0 0 5% 0
Go to College Apprenticeship Work Volunteer Not sure Other
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The most common choice for students leaving COLLEGE was to start WORK (49%). 9% of College students were ‘Not sure.’
What would you like to do when you leave College?
49%
17% 17% 11% 9% 3%
Apprenticeship Work Volunteer University More Studying Not sure
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Young Researchers SEND Reform Survey June 2015
6. How students feel about leaving School/College?
We asked young people:
How do you feel about leaving school/college?
It was a multi choice question so they could choose as many as they wanted.
The most common response was HAPPY with 43%.
Positive responses Negative responses 43% of students were HAPPY. 31% of students were WORRIED. 31% of students were EXCITED. 22% of students were ANXIOUS. 25% of students were POSITIVE. 15% of students were SAD. 7% of students were UPSET. 2% of students were CROSS & ANGRY.
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Young Researchers SEND Reform Survey June 2015
7. Information and Support
We asked young people:
Do you have enough INFORMATION and SUPPORT to help you with...
Most young people had an enough information and support for their health (84%), their education (81%) and leisure and hobbies (73%). Less young people had enough information and support about becoming independent (68%) and getting a job (54%).
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Young Researchers SEND Reform Survey June 2015
Enough Information by AGE We compared the data to see if different age groups of young people to see if they had enough information and support.
HEALTH info – not much difference between age groups. EDUCATION info – not much difference between age groups. LEISURE & HOBBIES info – only 67% of 12-14 year olds had enough information compare to 80% of 15-18 year olds. BECOMING INDEPENDENT info – the older students were more likely to have enough information (76%) than younger students (63%). GETTING A JOB info – there was not much difference between the age groups but we thought older students should have been better informed, only 51% had enough information.
Enough info on HEALTH by AGE Enough info on LEISURE & HOBBIES by AGE YES NO Not Sure 82% 84% 83% YES NO Not Sure 80% 80% 67%
13% 12% 14% 19% 5% 4% 2% 14% 8% 12% 7% 12%
12-14 year olds 15-16 year olds 17-18 year olds 12-14 year olds 15-16 year olds 17-18 year olds
Enough info on EDUCATION by Enough info on BECOMING AGE INDEPENDENT by AGE
YES NO Not Sure YES NO Not Sure 79% 84% 85% 63% 71% 76% 14% 7% 9% 7% 10% 5% 19% 19% 12% 17% 7% 17%
12-14 year olds 15-16 year olds 17-18 year olds 12-14 year olds 15-16 year olds 17-18 year olds
Enough info on GETTING A JOB by AGE
YES NO Not Sure
55% 54% 51% 32% 19% 26% 24% 22% 17%
12-14 year olds 15-16 year olds 17-18 year olds
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Enough Information by GENDER We compare to see if there were any differences between young women and young men and whether they had enough information and support.
There were not too many differences between young women and young men although young men were slightly more likely to have enough information than young women for all the questions. There was a bigger difference with getting enough information about GETTING A JOB. 59% of young men said they had enough information compared to 48% of young women.
Enough info on HEALTH by Enough info on BECOMING GENDER INDEPENDENT by GENDER
Male Female Male Female 86% 80% 70% 66% 18% 17% 18% 4% 2% 10% 13% 15%
YES NO Not Sure YES NO Not Sure
Enough info on EDUCATION by Enough info on GETTING A GENDER JOB by GENDER
Male Female Male Female 82% 81% 59% 48% 20% 21% 21% 31% 10% 5% 8% 13%
YES NO Not Sure YES NO Not Sure
Enough info on LEISURE & HOBBIES by GENDER
Male Female
75% 74%
11% 16% 15% 10%
YES NO Not Sure
Young Researchers Enough Information by INSTITUTION We compare to see if there were any differences between the types of educational institution young people went to.
Students at college said they were the best informed about all the issues.
Students in mainstream schools felt the least well informed about Health, Education and Becoming Independent.
Students in specialist schools felt the least well informed about Leisure & Hobbies and Getting a Job.
Enough info about HEALTH by Enough info about BECOMING INSTITUTION INDEPENDENT by INSTITUTION
YES NO Not Sure YES NO Not Sure
100% 71% 76% 84% 77% 63%
18% 19% 19% 17% 15% 2% 14% 5% 0% 0% 10% 9%
Specialist Mainstream College Specialist Mainstream College
Enough info about EDUCATION Enough info about GETTING A by INSTITUTION JOB by INSTITUTION
YES NO Not Sure YES NO Not Sure
88% 100% 61% 67% 45% 68% 34% 21% 21% 21% 19% 19% 12% 1% 11% 11% 0% 0%
Specialist Mainstream College Specialist Mainstream College
Enough info about LEISURE & HOBBIES by INSTITUTION
YES NO Not Sure 85% 69% 77%
14% 16% 16% 6% 3% 12%
Specialist Mainstream College
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PEOPLE WHO HELP
We asked young people:
Which PEOPLE HELP YOU find information about what you can do?
Parents were the most common source of help (81%) and teachers were the second most common (76%).
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Who helped by different groups of young people
We compared different age groups to see who helped them. The older young people were more positive about getting help from all the different people that help. 15-16 year olds were less likely to get help from Friends, Brothers and Sisters and Parents/Carers.
Which people help by AGE
12-14 year olds 15-16 year olds 17-18 year olds
90% 84% 85% 74%74% 78%
54% 48% 51% 35% 33% 27% 22% 22% 12% 10% 9% 9% 6% 7% 10%
Teachers Parents/Carers Friends Brother and Social worker Youth worker Other sisters
We compared differences between young women and young men’s responses. Young women were more likely to get help from everyone we listed except for Parents.
Which people help by GENDER
Male Female 83% 76% 78% 79%
50% 41% 41% 27% 18% 13% 14% 11% 7% 10%
Teachers Parents/Carers Friends Brother and Social worker Youth worker Other sisters
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Young Researchers SEND Reform Survey June 2015
We compared which educational institution young people went to by the people who helped them.
Students in mainstream school were less likely to get help from teachers, 66% compared to 85% students in specialist schools and 82% at college.
Students in specialist schools most common source of support was Teachers (85%) then Parents/Carers (79%). Parents/Carers were the top choice for students at college and in mainstream school.
Students at college were more likely to get help from their peers, 58% from Friends and 45% from Brothers and Sisters.
Students in mainstream school were less likely to get help from Social Workers only 6% compared to 18% of college and specialist school students.
Which people help by INSTITUTION
Specialist Mainstream College
85% 85%88% 82% 79% 66% 58% 48% 45% 35% 34% 29% 21% 18% 18% 16% 6% 6% 6% 8% 9%
Teachers Parents/Carers Friends Brother and Social worker Youth worker Other sisters
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Young Researchers SEND Reform Survey June 2015
Other people that help
We asked in an open question, ‘Are there any other people that help you?’
The young people wrote:
School/College Other family members Tutor. Nan and granddad. Reed at college and learning coaches. Cousins. Teaching assistants. College. Learning support assistants. Other helpful adults Neighbours. My mum’s friend. Health Professionals Swimming teachers. Doctors. Physiotherapist. Other Church. Other Professionals Police website. Respite Carer. Job club at youth club with My 2 helpers. Connexions. Boyfriend.
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FINDING OUT ABOUT CHOICES & OPTIONS
We asked young people:
HOW would you like to find out about CHOICES and OPTIONS available?
Talking to someone was the most popular choice for getting help finding out about choices and options (70%). Young people were then interested in internet options with 51% saying Website and 29% Facebook. The least popular options were paper documents, 23% Leaflets and 16% Magazine.
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How young people would like to find out about choices and options by different groups
We compared different age groups by how they would like to find out about their choices and options.
All the options were more popular with older students. 78% of 17-18 year olds wanted to talk to someone compared to 66% of 12-16 year olds.
How would you like to find out about choices & options by AGE
12-14 year olds 15-16 year olds 17-18 year olds
78% 66% 66% 63% 53% 46% 34% 39% 27% 27% 28% 22% 21% 16% 14% 10% 7% 5%
Talk to someone Website Magazine Leaflet Facebook Other ideas
We compared differences between young women and young men’s responses. Young women were more likely to want to talk to someone, 77% compared to 65%. Young men were slightly more likely to want to use websites, 53% compared to 49%.
How would you like to find out about choices and option by GENDER
Male Female
77% 65% 53% 49%
29% 27% 31% 20% 14% 18% 11% 7%
Talk to Website Magazine Leaflet Facebook Other ideas someone
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Young Researchers SEND Reform Survey June 2015
We compared which educational institution young people went to by the people who helped them.
Students at College were most likely to want to use websites to find out information, 67% compared to 44% of mainstream students and 53% of students at specialist schools. College students were also more likely to want to use magazines and leaflets.
How would like to find out information by INSTITUTION
Specialist Mainstream College 73% 69% 67% 67% 53% 44% 39% 39% 31% 24% 23% 23% 17% 16% 11% 11% 9% 6%
Talk to someone Website Magazine Leaflet Facebook Other ideas
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Other ways to find out about choices & options
We asked in an open question, ‘Do you have OTHER IDEAS about how you would like to find out about choices and options?’
The young people wrote:
School & College School. Teachers x3 young people. College. Someone comes to school to tell us.
Internet Posters and Instagram. Gmail. Twitter x3 young people.
Others Youth worker. Careers office. Job centre at Poole. Meetings. Meetings and social groups. ‘gta5’ (Grand Theft Auto – a computer game).
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WHERE TO GET HELP
We asked young people:
Where do you find out information?
The INTERNET was the most popular place to find out information about getting help (76%). Followed closely by SCHOOL/COLLEGE with 72%.
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Young Researchers SEND Reform Survey June 2015
Where young people find out information by different groups 95% of 17 to 18 year olds got help from school/college compared to 69% of 12 to 14 year olds and 70% of 15 to 16 year olds. Older students were more likely to get help from all the options available. 41% of 17 to 18 year olds said they were getting help from the careers service compared to 19% of 15 to 16 year olds.
Where young people would like to find out about info by AGE
12-14 year olds 15-16 year olds 17-18 year olds 95% 79% 77% 80% 69% 70%
38% 44% 41% 27% 20% 19% 12% 10% 8% 10% 6% 5%
School/College Library Youth Club Internet Careers Service Other
We found little differences between where young women and young men were likely to get help.
Where like to find out info by GENDER
Male Female
72% 74% 77% 76%
31% 36% 18% 18% 20% 12% 6% 11%
School/College Library Youth Club Internet Careers Service Other
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We compare students’ responses by the educational institution they attended. College students were the most positive about college helping them (88%) compared to only 67% of students in mainstream schools. 45% of college students would use the library.
Specialist school students were least likely to use the INTERNET with 73% compared to 84% of mainstream school students and 85% of college students.
Where do you find out info by INSTITUTION
Specialist Mainstream College
88% 85% 79% 84% 73% 67% 45% 36% 27% 19% 24% 21% 14% 11% 10% 10% 5% 6%
School/College Library Youth Club Internet Careers Service Other
Other places young people get information
We asked in an open question, ‘Where else do you get information from?’
The young people wrote:
Parents and Family Others places Mum and dad. Some from School. My parents. Teachers. Home. Book. Family x 3 young people. Books I have. Friends/family. Day centre. Parents, books, brothers and sister. From the cafe staff at college. Parents and websites. Friends. Parents/Family. Scouts. My parents finds things out for me. Internet. Parents. Places. My central processing unit. Football training. Facebook.
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8. Listened To
We asked young people to rate 3 different questions
How well do adults listen to you? How confident are you about expressing your opinions? How easy do you find it to make decisions?
They could rate their answers on a scale of 1 to 10 stars. 1 star = Very bad and 10 stars = Excellent.
Below are the overall averages for each factor.
The students were most positive about ‘adults listening to them’ (7.3) and then ‘confidence about expressing their opinion’ (6.3). They were least positive about ‘how easy it is to make decisions’ (5.9).
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We then compare these questions by age. Young people indicated that they found it easier to make decisions as they got older, averaging 5.7 for the 12 to 14 year olds, 6 for 15 to 16 year olds and 6.3 for the 17-18 year olds.
Older young people were the most confident at expressing their opinion, 6.9. The younger students were slightly more positive about adults listening to them at 7.5.
Listened to by AGE
17-18 year olds 15-16 year olds 12-14 year olds
6.3 Easy to make decisions 6 5.7
6.9 Confidence express opinion 5.9 6.3
7.2 Adults listen 7.1 7.5
There was a difference between female and male responses. The young women were more negative about each of the factors. The biggest difference was adults listening to them; the young women’s average was 6.7 compared to young men 7.7.
Listened to questions by GENDER
Female Male
5.5 Easy to make decisions 6.2
6 Confidence express opinion 6.5
6.7 Adults listen 7.7
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College students were the most confident about expressing their opinions, averaging 7 out of 10 compared to mainstream school students at 6.2 and specialist school students at 6.1.
Specialist school students were the most positive about adults listening to them, averaging 7.8 compared to an average of 6.6 for students in mainstream schools and 7.3 for college students.
Listened too by INSTITUTIONS
College Mainstream Specialist
6.1 Easy to make decisions 5.8 5.7
7 Confidence express opinion 6.2 6.1
7.3 Adults listen 6.6 7.8
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9. How Happy
Students were asked to indicate on a scale of 1 to 10 how happy they were with a number of factors in life. One was very unhappy and ten very happy. We offer the overall average for each factor below.
Health Friends Safe Choice Family School Opportunities
The students were most positive about their families and friends (8.3) and then how safe they felt (7.7). On average they felt the least positive about the amount of choice they had and with their future opportunities, both getting an average score of 6.9.
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We compare the average findings by age and found small differences between the age groups. 15-16 year olds were slightly less positive about school, family and health but the most positive about their friends.
How happy...by AGE
17-18 year olds 15-16 year olds 12-14 year olds
7.7 School 7.3 7.4 8.3 Friends 8.6 8.3 8.6 Family 8 8.4 7.9 Health 7.4 7.9
The younger students (12 to 14 year olds) were slightly less positive about feeling safe and the amount of choices they have.
How happy...by AGE
17-18 year olds 15-16 year olds 12-14 year olds
7.2 Amount of Choice 7.5 6.7
7.1 Future Opportunities 7 6.9
8 How safe 8.2 7.5
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When we compared by gender, young women were more negative about everything except for how happy they were about their friends. The biggest gaps were in amount of choice, 7.4 for young men compared to 6.3 for young women and health 8 for young men compared to 7.1 compared to young women.
How happy are you... by GENDER
Female Male
7.1 School 7.7
8.3 Friends 8.3
8 Family 8.5
7.1 Health 8
How happy you are about...by GENDER
Female Male
6.3 Amount of Choice 7.4
6.6 Future Opportunities 7.1
7.4 How safe 7.9
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Students at specialist schools were the most happy with SCHOOL, the average rating was 8 compared to 6.7 for students at mainstream schools. College students were more positive about their health averaging 8.4 compared to 7.6 for mainstream school students and 7.7 for specialist school students.
How happy are you... by INSTITUTION
College Mainstream Specialist
7.7 School 6.7 8
8.9 Friends 8.5 8.3
8.5 Family 8.4 8.3
8.4 Health 7.6 7.7
College students were most positive about the amount of choice they had, their future opportunities and how safe they felt.
How happy are you... by INSTITUTION
College Mainstream Specialist
7.5 Amount of Choice 7 6.8
7.6 Future Opportunities 7 6.7
8.3 How safe 7.5 7.6
Young Researchers SEND Reform Survey June 2015
10. SEND Reforms
The purpose of our research was to help the local authorities implement the SEND Reforms. To help them we asked two questions about two of the main areas of the reforms:
Education, Health & Care Plans. Local Offer.
45% of young people had heard of the new Education, Health & Care Plans. 26% of young people had heard of the Local Offer.
SEND Reforms
Yes No Not sure
50% 45% 32% 26% 22% 24%
Education Health & Care Plans Local Offer
We compared this by age and found that there was not much difference between the age groups.
Heard about Heard of Local Offer Education Health and by AGE
Care Plans Yes No Not sure
Yes No Not sure 52% 48% 49% 48% 43% 44% 34% 28% 27% 31% 29% 24% 24% 24% 24% 25% 22% 24%
12-14 year olds 15-16 year olds 17-18 year olds 12-14 year olds 15-16 year olds 17-18 year olds
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When we compared this by gender there was also little difference.
Heard of Education Heard of Local Offer Health and Care Plans by GENDER
by GENDER Male Female
Male Female 51% 49% 46% 45% 35% 27% 27% 28% 26% 24% 23% 19%
YES NO Not Sure Yes No Not sure
Compared by educational institution college students were the most likely to know about the Plans with 56% of college students saying yes compared to 44% of students at mainstream school and 38% at Specialist Schools.
College students were also most likely to have heard of the Local Offer (29%) compared to only 19% from mainstream schools and 25% at specialist schools.
Heard of Education Heard of Local Offer Health & Care Plan by by INSTITUTION
INSTITUTION Yes No Not sure
Yes No Not sure 63% 56% 44% 47% 38% 40% 38% 34% 32% 28% 29% 25% 28% 29% 16% 15% 19% 18%
Specialist Mainstream College Specialist Mainstream College
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Young Researchers SEND Reform Survey June 2015
11. Recommendations
Once the survey was closed young people from Beaucroft School, Yewstock School, Poole College and the Chatterboxes group were shown the findings. They discussed what they thought of the findings and how they related to their own experiences. They also made some recommendations. Below is a summary of what the young people said and their recommendations.
Information, Advice & Support Someone to talk to Internet: “The internet may answer your main Websites that are helpful and young questions but it’s the little questions that people friendly and not too much are important to get to ask someone in writing. person about. It’s better to talk to Have links from school/college someone face to face because they can websites to other useful websites. then answer your questions directly.” Advertise links on facebook and twitter. “It’s honestly better just to talk to “Websites are good but who looks at someone.” them!” “At school we should have an Advisor who “Teenagers generally can’t be bothered to we could talk to if we are anxious or type in an address but a link on facebook worried about stuff. You can talk to would work.” teachers but they don’t always keep stuff confidential.” “If you want teenagers to listen make a YouTube video. Not a boring one but one “School should let students know that that gets straight to the point and with no there are people they can talk too if they one over 40 on it.” are worried about leaving school.”
“It’s best to advertise links to website on “Adults don’t listen to me at all. Half the facebook, twitter and instragram.” time it’s like I’m invisible. If I do something bad they notice me. They say they are “Some are good and easy to find but listening but you see them not really others are hard to find.” listening. It would be nice if someone listened to me and paid attention to the “They can answer a lot of your questions good things and not always the bad but they may have the odd question that is things.” not on there.”
“I don’t like to read too much so prefer websites that are interactive and interesting.”
Young Researchers SEND Reform Survey June 2015
More visiting to College Talks from older students “I’ve only been to Brockenhurst College “You don’t care about some things if a once; I think it would be better if we could teacher tells you; you’re much more likely visit the college we want to go to more to listen to someone a bit older than you.” than once.” “We want to listen to people that are cool Information and Advice for and then we are more likely to listen to them.” parents
“If parents are the ones that help the most “We’re more likely to listen to someone our then they need to have more information own age or just a bit older.” so they can help you.”
More help getting a job and becoming independent Practical help with application forms and interview skills. More opportunities to do work experience at school and college. Advisors that respect you and help you to find work. Employers need training and support for employing people with disabilities.
“We need more help with practical stuff “More help beside the job centre, like more like practicing for interviews or filing out help in your last year of college. We need job application forms.” more help getting jobs because at our age it is really difficult. You go from sitting with “Once you leave college you have to be your mates at college having a laugh to independent and that’s worrying. Even suddenly out there having to get a job, to though at college you are pretty get money to pay your rent and get food. independent you still have teachers to It’s not easy and it’s a scary thought. And watch your back.” it’s so difficult to get a job.”
“Need more chances to do work “The job centre people, I’ve got someone experience so you know what you are who is supposed to specialise in people doing and get experience.” with special needs but she has a very rude tone and when I explained to her what sort “I don’t know what I’ll do if I don’t get the of jobs would suit my skills she thinks qualifications I need to do performing arts. because I have autism that I can only do I put all my energy into drama and singing, menial jobs like cleaning and stacking I wouldn’t know what else to do and I don’t shelves but I can’t handle big places.” really want to go on to benefits.” “Jobs are really important; you have to get “Once you leave college or school you are income in if you are going to survive on literally thrown into the big wide world this planet now.” which is just quite terrifying.” 40 Young Researchers SEND Reform Survey June 2015
“The job centre just accuse you of lying “They need training. It’s fair enough not and you don’t want to go back but you everyone knows about disabilities. My have to. When you go into the job centre at parents didn’t know at first and they didn’t the moment it just feels like they are know what to do but they were trained and having a go at you but really they should learnt how to understand it.” be there to help you. But they just make you feel really low and it’s no good for your “Once they see you have a mental self esteem.” disability they don’t want to hire you. But I want to work and work hard for a living. I “When I did my one day work thing at don’t want to have to live with my parents British Home Stores, I did very well and the for the rest of my life because no one will lady said I did very well but no customers hire me. It all lowers your self esteem to talked to me. So I didn’t get the job keep getting rejected. It makes you less because no one talked to me. But I got confident to go out there and keep getting straight ticks on the rest, the only thing I turned down.” didn’t get ticks on was customer socialisation but it’s not my fault that none “There should be training for employers of the customers would talk to me. And and managers and businesses about that was a real confidence knocker.” people with disabilities so they know they can hire you and they understand you. “We suffer from discrimination. It might Because people need jobs and its take a few extra hours to teach a person discrimination that we can’t get jobs.” but people just aren’t prepared to take those extra hours. You want to work for “Remove the bar of who gets help and the community and help the community provide social workers to all people with but if no one will give you the chance.” disabilities including adults.”
“Some companies think we are stupid.”
Practice and support to make decisions “It's hard because if you don't get much practice, you won't know how. Young people need to be able to make bad decisions before making good; if you start with small decisions then the big ones won't be so big. Naturally young people can get scared because what they chose will affect their future but by helping them now, do what they want to do, will make it easier.”
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Young Researchers SEND Reform Survey June 2015
Respect and valued “If you treat kids like prisoners then they’ll “It really gets you down when you have kick up a fuss but if you treat them like great potential but people don’t see it.” adults then they’ll behave.”
“We need help from people who have respect, that are willing to help you out and you’re not scared to ask questions to.”
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Young Researchers