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things can change overnight when you go from 17-18 or 15-16 sometimes. The access to support, services or provision can change overnight, just like that, when actually overnight your needs and how you present as a person, nothing has changed. That's not right.

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Lack of options for cognitively able students who can't cope in mainstream secondary 

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Lack of options for cognitively able students who can't cope in mainstream secondary 

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I had to leave secondary school due to my mental health and was hospitalised. Whilst an inpatient, I was diagnosed with Autism. I was unable to find suitable education that could meet my MH needs and was pushed towards SEND settings, however, they were not suitable as they didn't offer formal qualifications which I was capable enough for and wanted to sit. There is a big lack of education placements for young people like myself who are bright and want to learn and sit GCSEs and A-levels, but are unable to manage in large mainstream secondary schools.

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I think employers need to have more understanding of how LD/Autism and SEND present in a whole range of ways. I think there's schemes and opportunities out there for people who are really bright, with a niche skill/interest (like coding or video editing for example, I know of people like that) and opportunities for people with significant LD to find work but it's hard when you're in between like me. Not high enough support needs to warrant the specific LD work schemes but not completely independent in a highly skilled job.

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I'd like a wide range of jobs to try out as work experience (not just a day here and there or a block week) before I apply for a course or job. How do I know what course to apply for without trying the job first? How do I know what job I'll be good at without having more varied work experience? I don't want to make a decision and then be boxed into the wrong thing.

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I'd like to get a job based on my own skills and merits and feel valued because of this, not because I tick a box for diversity and inclusion. I want the opportunity to try different jobs out and work out what my skills and strengths are. I wish there was more opportunities for volunteers and work experience which would allow me to work this out but it seems to be all aimed at YP with higher support needs than me at farms or cafes. I'd like more variety.

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Due to being home schooled for year 11 I missed work experience and careers advice and I don't know what I want to do, but I would like a job and if I found the right thing, I'd be good at it.

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I didn't get work experience due to COVID. I'd like to have the opportunity to try out different jobs, to see what my strengths and interests are, without having to get the job properly and have it look bad on my CV that I've been in several different jobs in a short space of time.

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I think I'm 'in the middle'. I don't have really high support needs and I have varied interests, i.e. not a very specific special interest that can be a niche opportunity to get a job. I think I'd make a good employee, once I felt secure in what I was doing but would need a workplace to have understanding and be willing to give opportunities to someone in the middle like myself.

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I want an employer who has the time and patience to support young people with additional needs like me with the job.

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I had activities week at my special school. I really enjoyed going walking.

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I went to a special school, we had activities week where we got to try things which weren't our usual subjects and lessons. Usually active things like walking, sports or something fun. I liked having the opportunity to try different things.

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My experience of mainstream was that it's very difficult to get support without an EHCP, even though I was waiting for an EHCNA. It was a fight and it was tiring.

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Young people aren't always at their EHCP ARs. I wasn't always and that was fine because my mum can speak on my behalf and she takes my feelings on board and I trust her to say "this is his wishes and this is what I think" and make that clear, because she has done that in the past, but not every YPs parents would do that.

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My parents have contributed to the EHCNA process on my behalf, with exception of some assessments. I wasn't particularly involved or kept in the loop about delays or decisions. In meetings, my parents attended on my behalf but they asked me things. If I knew more about what to expect from the meetings and what was expected from me, and had questions or topics in advance to think through and prepare for, then I may have been able to contribute more independently.

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My parents do a lot of contributing on my behalf. I have been OK with this up until now, as I haven't felt able to contribute (due to how the meetings are conducted). Maybe if the meetings or processes were set up differently, so that I didn't feel so put on the spot (which triggers my anxiety), I would be able to contribute more independently and meaningfully.

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I don't think I've been that involved in my annual reviews at any of my schools, my parents have done all of that. I have not been to any of my AR meetings that I remember except maybe the most recent one (I'm 18).

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Information on what is available in the area

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Information on what is available in the area

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I moved here from another local authority, in my late teens and I found it really hard to find information on what is on offer/available for young people with SEND/additional needs. I found the local offer didn't have all the information I needed as it was not up to date and was hard to navigate. I tried to filter results but when I was looking for clubs and activities it showed schools and things like that, I found it frustrating. It would be good to have a leaflet or booklet with "welcome to west sussex" and a list of services or activities for SEND young people to access so we know what there is to do.

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I have an EHCP now, but I didn't for most of secondary school. I found high school very overwhelming, especially approaching GCSEs as there was a lot of focus on academic achievement and I felt there was a lot of pressure. I was so overwhelmed by the physical environment, decor, size, smells, by pressure to achieve well as well as the amount of other students and social/friendship demands. I became very withdrawn and it really affected my mental health and wellbeing.

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I struggled through high school. I didn't have support that I needed. The school's approach to support was to deny it was needed and denied that there were any problems at or with school despite multiple meetings and me struggling to attend due to anxiety and meltdowns. I felt I wasn't listened to or believed.

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Before college, I went to a small-medium sized mainstream secondary school. I feel that most staff there were not understanding of my autism and anxiety. Due to me being considered high-ability/high-attaining, and me masking a lot in school, the school refused to acknowledge that there were any issues with school and how things were set up there. Due to a lack of EHCP at that time, there was a refusal to provide any additional support. I ended up dropping out at the end of year 10 and being home-educated for year 11. I now have an EHCP and feel more supported by my college placement.

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When looking at colleges, SAND was my top choice. There were no others like it. I was looking for somewhere that could challenge me and meet my ability level but provide the resources and support I need and so far it's going really well.

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When I moved to West Sussex from a different Local authority, the SAND project, was the only college I felt was suitable and was the only one I wanted to consider.

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I went to an independent special school and at transition years in particular, there was a lot of anxiety caused as the local authority said the funding could be removed and wanted us to name another school each time. It felt like my school placement was really insecure and it caused a lot of worry. I feel if there was suitable maintained schools to meet my needs and ability I wouldn't have been at the independent school but there wasn't a suitable local authority school, so I shouldn't have been caused undue stress and penalised for being at a school where I had no other choice.

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I don't believe there is enough knowledge and understanding of the 'pegasus card' scheme from emergency services, which is mainly designed for use with the emergency services. I don't think it is working well.

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I was referred to CAMHS for support, I think I was 15 or 16 and went on a very long waiting list. I got a letter when I was 17 and half Still hadn't been seen) to say due to my age I should be transitioning to adult MH services but it was unclear if I then would have to go to the bottom of the wait list for adult services and wait more years or how that works. I don't really know what is happening now.

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Your learning might be in school or you might study at home or go to an alternative provision 

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Your learning might be in school or you might study at home or go to an alternative provision 

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we come to the club and get looked after by staff there

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I am under life long services and need to get support for personal care, I now have shower and specialist toilet , there was a problem with the fitting and we were lucky to have support from a worker for WSCC helped us but sadly he is no longer there.

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I had a fantastic worker in Children's services, she supported me all round and came to all of my meetings and i felt looked after. I am out of of Children's services and my experience is not as good, i have felt unheard and unsupported and i see my mum battling for my care.

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Its really good, its very important to the community of Chichester and for the young people, we find it very relaxing and safe and some young people felt it was hard to describe but said that " its our safe place".

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I like hanging out with people on my course and hanging out in the union.

I really like this course as this year i am in main stream and last year i was with the SEN group and this was not a positive experience.

2 people are now off to uni and are happy for the first time in education the feel able to be themselves and are happy.

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The boys club is good,, fun and supportive and we go places sometime. We chose what we do in the club. We love club and do not feel any need to comply and we can be who we want to be and do what we want.

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I have looked but there is not much on offer that is for young people like me, either they are for young people with high support needs or severe learning disabilities or they are aimed for mainstream/neurotypical people and tend to be too noisy/busy and not understand my anxiety and sensory issues plus I don't have a lot of money. SEND clubs aimed at YP with higher support needs are often free or discounted/low cost, but I can't find similar aimed at young people with support needs like me.

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Many 'SEND' clubs are intended for C&YP with more complex needs than me and I don't feel comfortable there, but groups intended for everyone aren't always set up to support my needs and I feel like I don't belong there either. I look for clubs/activities that say they are inclusive or have understanding of autism but it can be hard to find.

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It can be hard to socialise, I find it very draining. I have to watch what I say, how loud I'm talking and make sure I don't say something that offends others as well as filtering out background noise and processing what others have to say to me. I do want to meet new people and do want to try but don't think there are many suitable options

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My experience of having a social worker was really helpful as she found me the support that I needed and social care still funds this.

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being an assistant cub leader is important to me and I'm working on my King's Scout Award

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I struggled in my Primary School and had an EHCP which allowed me to switch to a school which is much better for my mental health.

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I completed my Gold DofE Award at an outdoor activity provider. I did canoeing for my Expedition.

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There were fun things to do in the evenings and weekends , including going to M8s youth club which is how I got involved in Young Voices.

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Recently I had an ear wax blockage. We had it sorted out at a Private clinic, as NHS appointment came through for January 2024. As this affected my hearing it would've been too late.

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I feel that this service is not delivering to its full potential due to poor communications between themselves and other services. This caused me to be sign posted to services that would not help due to my specific difficulties/mental disabilities. They could have also helped me during the first year and a half of being referred rather than waiting until I was 17 and a half and then saying that I am becoming too old and should contact Adult Mental Health instead.

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I think that the waiting lists are far too long and this has lead to me having years without the support that I desperately needed.

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I find that the local library in my community has very friendly staff that are always willing to help.

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I attend online groups for young people both there are all under attended and I feel that there should be more advertising for these groups outside of the service(s) that offer them.

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My school is about 1 hour travel from my home. This makes me very tired on top of a school days' activities. I attend this school as it is the only school that can meet my needs.

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Due to my travel to school I do not have much time for activities and do not feel comfortable with doing it after a tiring school day.

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When I was looking for colleges I found that there was a nice selection in my area and lots of choice for different subjects/courses.

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This might be a family support worker, social worker or youth support worker

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This might be a family support worker, social worker or youth support worker

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The support I receive is good and whenever I have problems or issues with the service I receive are efficiently resolved by both my social worker and the social duty team.

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Being part of WSCC SEND voices has enabled me to get my voice and views heard and listened to, thus helping to improve support for not only myself but also other young people.