Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Young People Consultation 2024

Young person profile

• 60% are male, 39% are female, 1% prefers to self-describe
• The majority are from a White ethnic background although there is also representation from other ethnic groups
• Most young people taking part are aged 13-15 years (62%), and 84% of all respondents are still in education
• Social, emotional or mental health issues, or communication problems are the most frequently occurring SEND needs

Education

• 41% attend a mainstream school, 33% a special school, 18% a college/university, and 7% home learning
• 60% have an EHCP, generally consistent with other data collected (2022 young people survey, 2023 parent/carer survey)
• Nearly 80% feel that they are listened to by their support worker or teacher at least some of the time
• A majority of young people in education say that they know who to talk to about bullying, mental health, education/learning and planning for adult life. Lower proportions feel that they are supported to make choices after school/college, that they are learning skills for adult life or learning skills needed for employment

Employment

• Of those no longer in education, 12% are in paid work, 29% are volunteering and 44% are not working. A few are waiting to re-enter education or awaiting training
• 61% of those no longer in education used to have an EHCP when they were younger
• Just less than half still have a support worker or professional involved in their care
• 93% feel that they are listened to by their support worker/professional at least some of the time
• A minority feel that they have the skills needed for work or for living an adult life. Having the skills to live an adult life is particularly low (26%)
• Less than a third (30%) know who to ask for help with work or living an adult life

Independent living

• Most young people aged 16+ live with their parent/carer (79%) and 42% have thought about future living arrangements
• Almost three-quarters of those 16+ say that they would like to be able to live independently or in supported living (74%)
• The main barrier to achieving this is having no job or regular income. Some don’t feel ready, and some are unsure what is available
• Less than half say they can manage their own money (45%), cook a meal (48%), and travel independently (43%)
• The majority can tell the time (73%)

Travel assistance

• 29% receive travel assistance (consistent with parent/carer survey 2023). 57% have a place in a taxi or minibus and 26% have a bus or train pass
• Only a small proportion have already had travel training (4%) whilst 40% think that they would find it helpful

Health

• A much larger proportion of young people feel that they are physically healthy (73%) compared with feeling that they have good mental health (41%)
• More than three-quarters know how to eat healthily and understand the importance of taking regular exercise and keeping active
• Just over half visit their GP on an annual basis. 23% of those aged 16+ feel able to make and attend a doctor’s appointment on their own
• Awareness of and ownership of a hospital passport is low (15% aware, 39% of those aware own one)
• Less than half of young people aged 16+ know where to get help for mental health problems, or information about relationships or sexual health

Friendship, relationships and community

• Almost two thirds of young people (61%) feel that they have a good group of friends but only 28% say that they find it easy to meet new people and make friends
• Young people take part in a wide variety of events and activities such as sport, fitness, arts and crafts
• However, almost a third of young people (32%) do not take part in any organised events or activities

Local Offer website

• Exactly a third of young people have heard of the Local Offer website (up from 21% in 2022)
• 46% of young people aware of the website have used it, consistent with 2022’s young people survey data
• Just over two thirds of users were able find everything they were looking for. The main complaint amongst those who could not find the right information is that it is not always up to date

Further comments

• Of those leaving a further comment, the most frequently mentioned theme is for more educational support, whether that is help finding a suitable educational environment, additional/better training of teachers to deal with different SEND needs, or more support for those young people learning at home

An online survey was launched on 8 January 2024 and was open until 30 March 2024 to enable as many young people as possible to complete it. The survey was promoted through various channels including social media, the PCC website, the Portsmouth Local Offer website, email distribution lists, various newsletters, and through schools and health services.

This survey forms part of a biannual longitudinal study of young people with SEND in Portsmouth. For this year’s survey considerable changes were made to the questions to link it more tightly to the Preparing for Adulthood topic areas (employment, independent living, health, and friendships, relationships & community) and to be able to look at those young people in and out of education as discrete sub-groups more easily. Comparisons with previous waves have been made where possible. Two easy read paper versions of the questionnaire (for those in and out of education) were also developed.

In total, the survey attracted 209 responses, compared with 280 in 2022. It is not possible to measure accurately the statistical robustness of this sample because the total population of those young people with SEND in Portsmouth is unknown (the council only holds data for those with an open EHCP and those taking part in the school census). However, a response of this level provides reliable insight that can be used to inform the decision making around the service.