The first ever Suffolk Inclusion Week ran 7-11 November 2022. The idea for the week came from our SEND Young Person's Network - a group of young people with SEND who help us shape services across Suffolk. They told us they wanted to feel safe, welcome and included within their local communities, to celebrate those places within their communities where they did feel included, and to encourage more organisations to learn from these examples.
Our Engagement Hub team worked with these young people to build a map of welcoming places across Suffolk, and developed a “top tips” list to help businesses and venues become more welcoming to those with SEND. You can view the interactive map and top tips here.
The week also provided an opportunity to work together, with schools, community organisations and young people sharing their experiences and good practice tips. Our five topics for the week focussed on early years provision, safe and supported spaces, post-16 provision, education and inclusive practice.
We shared content created by young people with SEND, their families and those working with them on our Suffolk Local Offer social media channels throughout the week, including:
C2C, Suffolk’s Children in Care Council
Education setting staff talk about the Keys to Inclusion training
Families talk about their experiences with the Early Help Team
Students at Doucecroft Special School talk about how communities can support people with autism
Children and young people with SEND tell us how professionals can best support them
A Suffolk SENCO talks about inclusive practice in her school
A young person talks about the SEND Young Persons Network
One of our specialist providers talks about their inclusive practice
Young people with SEND talk about what makes a good school day for them