A call to action from and to special schools, Arts organisations, Music Hubs and funders
Anna Hoddinott, Senior Grants & Communications Manager
John Lyon’s Charity has been a long-term supporter of Arts activities for young people with special needs and disabilities (SEND). Over the years, the Charity has seen huge variances in both the quantity and quality of activities on offer for young people with SEND and how vital the support of both parents and schools can be. Using our networks across the Arts, SEND schools, Music Hubs and funding sectors, John Lyon’s Charity has challenged these groups to think about how they work together to benefit young people with SEND. Perspectives (2016) and Change of Perspectives (2019) provided a medium for the viewpoints of these stakeholders to be drawn together for the first time.
Taking this one step further, Stand Up for SEND challenges the sector to do more collaboratively to ensure that all opportunities are the best they can be.
We challenge our funding colleagues, Arts organisations and special schools to take these principles on board when considering applying for funding, developing projects or awarding grants. Here is our call to action:
Accept the cost
Projects with SEND children will be more expensive
- Funding should be long-term to ensure Arts providers and special schools can continue to learn from their experiences and build on their successes
- Project budgets should include resources for training, planning and evaluation for all stakeholders throughout the project
- SEND focussed work needs to incorporate costs such as transport, additional staffing and practical adjustments to make the activity fully accessible
- To have added value, projects could also include costs for travel-training to provide participants with additional skills
- To ensure value for money the sector should make use of available networks and share best practice
A whole family approach
Families need to understand the value of, and be included in, Arts activities for children and young people with SEND
- Involving parents in the work allows them to see the benefits for their children
- Involving siblings in projects, particularly at weekends and during school holidays, make activities more inclusive and easier for families to attend
- The value of the Arts needs to be communicated to families, so they are considered as more than just a ‘nice thing’
- It should be made evident to families that the Arts could offer a realistic pathway for their children to achieve qualifications, a career or to have fun
Build career pathways
More progression and career opportunities for young people with SEND need to be created
- Tangible progression routes reinforce the importance of Arts engagement for young people and their families
- Projects should always consider ‘what next’ for participants, to provide them with the opportunity and choice to pursue their passions and talents, whether that is further qualifications, a career with the Arts or for fun
- The Arts can offer career pathways that give young people the opportunity to thrive and work towards independence
- Employers should consider the Disability Confident Employer Scheme https://disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk/
Inclusivity starts with you
Young people with SEND need to see people like them working in organisations and projects they engage with
- There should be greater visibility of positive, aspirational role models
- Organisations should always prioritise diversifying their workforce at all levels to create a more inclusive environment and organisational culture
- Inclusivity requires an organisational ethos, strategy and implementation to make the workplace accessible in every sense
- Every person with SEND is different and organisations need to offer a variety of ways to support the needs of individuals
Find it, do it, share it
Opportunities for SEND young people need more visibility from point of access to celebrating work and achievements
- Increasing visibility and valuing the work of young people with SEND helps to build more inclusive communities and help young people with SEND feel more accepted
- The work of young people with SEND should be celebrated and shared alongside the work of their mainstream peers
- A dedicated database, advertising opportunities for young people with SEND, would increase awareness and make it easier for families to find activities
- Platforms should be created to demonstrate the work and achievements of young people with SEND to help make it more the ‘norm’