Gateshead SEND Participation Strategy 2026-2030

‘SEND’ stands for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. We want you - the children, young people, and families of Gateshead - to share your thoughts and ideas about the SEND services you use.

We want you to feel listened to and included in decisions that affect your life. This plan explains how we will do this. It also shows ways you can get involved to help make Gateshead a better place for you, your friends, and your family. Your voice matters!

What does participation

What is Participation?

mean to you?

Knowing that your views and ideas have

The opportunity to be involved in decision making

“Not missing out on opportunities, getting involved in projects, and filling

“Participation means having an equal and meaningful

made a difference

my spare time with something important.”

say in matters that

Having your say

Being listened

affect me.”

in anything that

to and taken

affects you

seriously

“For me it means having people who support you with your decisions instead of other

people just making decisions for you.”

Getting involved means

How can i get involved?

There are a number of ways you can

make your voice heard

We learn what you think and what you need We get to hear new ideas from your point of view l Gateshead SEND Youth Forum We can use your views to help improve our services l Gateshead Parent Carer Forum l Gateshead Young Inspectors

See how your views have made a difference

l Gateshead Youth Assembly l Children in Care Council

Did you

l Be More Cat

know?

Your rights

You have the right to be involved and have your say in any decisions that will have an impact on your life. This is confirmed by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). The agreement contains 54 principles called ‘articles’, of which the following are most important in relation to participation: l Gateshead has a population

of 202,800 people.

Article 13 Article 2 l Around 55,000 young people aged under All children have these rights, no matter where they live, what language they speak, what their religion is, whether they are a boy or girl, whether they have a disability, or whether they are rich or poor. Article 1 25 live in Gateshead. That’s a 5% increase since 2021!

You have the right to find out things and share what you think with others unless it harms or offends others.

l In 2026, 5,758 pupils in Gateshead were Article 23 identified as having SEND.

You have the right to special education and care if you have a disability, as well as all the rights in this convention, so that you can live a full life.

l In March 2026 there were 2046 children You have the right to give your opinion, and for adults to listen and take it seriously.

and young people with an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) in Gateshead.

To help give you every opportunity to get involved we will make sure that participation is… Our Pledge:

ya bl jo n e e re ul w tf a r ec di sp ng re m e ea ni us ng A voice and a choice for children and young people fu in

To achieve ‘Our Pledge’ we will:

inclusive

Welcome views from all
Promote equal opportunities through a variety of communication techniques
Provide opportunities to engage in a way that is meaningful to you

respectful

Ask you your opinion and not edit or change your words
Listen to you and take your views seriously
Treat your views with care and respect

enjoyable

Help you to get involved and work hard to ensure you have a positive experience
Use a variety of interesting ways to involve and listen to you

rewarding

Celebrate your achievements
Make sure that our activities help to build your confidence and skills

meaningful

Listen to you and tell you what we have done with your feedback
Be honest about what is possible and what is not
Look for opportunities to work with you to design and deliver services

Gateshead Council want to make sure that your participation really makes a difference, that’s why we’ve asked our teams to make pledges to help make this happen. We have also asked the children and young people of Gateshead what participation means to them

Find further information on our children and young people’s advocacy service on our website: www.gateshead.gov.uk/local-offer or email us at: [email removed] An easy read and screen reader accessible version of this strategy is also available here 8379-SS-JUL26