Coproduction champions sought to develop SEND services in Hull

Hull City Council, in partnership with Hull Clinical Commissioning Group, is looking for SEND coproduction champions to help shape how services are delivered for children and young people with SEND.

Following consultation with families, children and professionals about the needs of children with SEND, a new SEND strategy (2021 – 2024) has been launched and sets out the vision for the city.

Central to the strategy is a commitment to involve parents, carers, children and young people in SEND service delivery, and a new coproduction charter has been launched. The charter outlines the partnership values and demonstrates a commitment to parent and carer involvement throughout SEND service delivery and development.

At the start of the year, 112 parents and carers shared their experiences through listening events. Improvement work is now in progress following the listening events, and new projects of work are to be started. Parents and carers will be involved from the outset, and throughout, so that the identified solutions are coproduced. To help deliver this successfully, coproduction champions are being introduced.

Councillor Shane McMurray, Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services said: “Our vision is for all children and young people aged 0 – 25 with SEND are healthy and happy, do well in education, make friends and build strong, lasting relationships within their local community. To develop independence, be safe, active and successful and have the confidence to achieve their aspirations.

“A key part of delivering this vision is ensuring that families, children and professionals working with children with SEND are involved in how support and services are delivered. We believe one of the key ways to do this is to introduce coproduction champions across the partnership.

“We are now asking for people to come forward to be champions to help make a difference to SEND support in Hull.”

The champions will also outline what their role will look like, and will work with the city’s Parent and Carer Forum.

Parents and carers of children with SEND, or professionals who work with children with SEND at any level in any organisation can become SEND coproduction champions.

Anyone who would like to know more can go to the Local Offer web site or contact [email protected].

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