You said, we did

View what our Gateshead Youth Forum said and how we have responded: 

Transition 

You said:

"I'm kind of scared as to what will happen when I reach 25. I think for my EHCP now, they need to give more consideration to the planned transition process."

"The council and the social care packages are completely different to health... It's like falling off a cliff where nobody knows what is going on."

We did: 

  • our 'Stepping Up' transitions guide launched in Gateshead. The guide and the app have been co-developed with children and young people in Gateshead, including the SEND Youth Forum 
  • Preparation for Adulthood outcomes have been built into the SEND Thresholds throughout all age groups 
  • the SEND Youth Forum worked with NHS North East and North Cumbria ICB to co-develop 'Healthier Together' health transitions website, including co producing the animated information film

Leisure activities

You said: 

"I want more information about access to SEND leisure activities. I've had difficulty finding information about what I'd be able to access and what I'd be able to use."

We did: 

  • a dedicated SEND activities directory has been developed, with significant input from SEND Youth Forum
  • a dedicated 'Young People's Hub' section of the SEND Local Offer website has been created in collaboration with the Gateshead SEND Youth Forum

Accessibility

You said:

"I think hybrid events is definitely something you need...for people with neurodivergence it takes a lot less energy to go to hybrid events."

"The main issue for me is that information sometimes isn't accessible."

We did: 

  • SEND Youth Forum meetings are hybrid, meaning that young people can access virtually and face to face
  • notes from all meetings are created in an accessible animated format and can be found on the SEND Local Offer website

Voting

You said:

"Access to my Community Centre (was) very difficult in my old chair...when I got there, I realised that the voting room was upstairs! I ended up having to sit in the entrance of the Community Centre and do my vote that way!"

We did: 

  • the inaccessible polling station has been changed in the district to a more accessible venue.
  • a borough-wide consultation has been set up to review polling places in Gateshead 
  • a member of Gateshead Council's Children's Rights and Engagement Team will join a SEND Youth Forum meeting in 2026 and run a session focussing on politics and voting in preparation for the voting age moving to 16 years old.

Local Offer

You said:

"It needs rebranding. You need a logo, you need colours, you need branding."

"In general, there needs to be tools which allow you to alter the font and change it to be dyslexia friendly."

We did: 

  • following a public consultation Gateshead SEND Local Offer website has been redesigned and relaunched. The SEND Youth Forum was regularly consulted and involved in the rebuild 
  • 'Recite Me' accessibility toolbar is now available on all pages of the Local Offer website