SEND support survey feedback 2023
9. Social activities
You said there are not sufficient social activities.
Respondents shared the need for:
- activities that are specifically for children with complex needs
- services aimed at secondary aged children
- equity in the locations of support groups or sessions for children with SEND
"I am deaf and I am just fine with that. I am healthy and I like to game because it is my hobby and I have lots of friends on there.'"(CYP)
"The SEND offer doesn't seem to have anything applicable to children in Grimsargh/Preston/Longridge most groups and support sessions are in East Lancashire." (PC)
"I feel like I spend to much time on social media." (CYP)
"I wish I have more out of school places to go especially at weekends." (CYP)
"I don't think there is enough support in my community to help me, not many groups locally that I can go to, and I don't like to made to feel different. I want to do sports and groups like everyone else. I should be offered the same support and groups as those who get free school meals to. They get to go to fun groups during the holidays that I can't access even with SEN." (CYP)
"Can't access anything for SEN kids in Ribble Valley / Clitheroe. Nobody knows these kids exist out of school." (PC)
"We currently attend a colourful footsteps sessions for under 5s at preston children’s centre, this has been fantastic and the staff are great, we need more sessions like this available." (PC)
"There needs to be more inclusive SEND activities especially during school holidays in Blackpool and on the Fylde Coast." (PC)
"After the age of 24/end of education there is no continuous activities etc for them e.g. they have to leave the youth club when they turn 25 but there is no 25+follow on groups to continue attending it on a different day/evening." (PC)
What we have done and are working on:
The Lancashire Family Hubs Network provide fun activities for children and young people with SEND.
Break Time short break activities are recruiting more providers to run more social activities, and have listened to the feedback where you feel activity offers are lower.
For children and young people who need specialist short breaks, social care can carry out an assessment. This is to help decide the best way to provide and fund short breaks to meet your needs. Support for children with complex needs may include Break Time Plus, direct payment or a personal budget, domiciliary/homecare, fostering short breaks or overnight stays in specialist settings.
POWAR participation group is for children and young people with SEND from secondary school age up to 25. POWAR stands for: Participate, Opportunity, Win, Achieve and Respect. It is run by Lancashire County Council's Targeted Youth Support - Participation Service. We influence decision making and make a difference to young people’s lives and hold regular meetings which are informal and fun.
The Holiday activities and food programme (HAF) provides activities that help to increase self-esteem and improve wellbeing. They also provide advice and information on healthy eating and nutrition, but the focus is definitely on fun and friends. 15% of places are for children not on free school meals but would still benefit from a free place. This includes children with SEND, children missing from education, young carers, or those being supported on an early help plan.