Everyone should have a chance to share their ideas and be listened to, especially when decisions affect them. There are lots of fun ways for you to help make important decisions in Lambeth.
What young people with SEND have done
Recently, young people with SEND in Lambeth have:
- joined panels to help decide how the council spends money
- spoken at important meetings and shared their thoughts
- talked in groups about what support they need for future jobs
In 2024, we started a group for young people with SEND. After listening to feedback, we’re making a new group with special schools and colleges.
Participation in Lambeth
Find out what participation is and how young people with SEND can take part in decision-making at Lambeth Council.
Autism: A Unique Life
Three of our local schools have created a short documentary about what life is like as an autistic young person in Lambeth. The aim of the film is to improve understanding and awareness of autism. In the video, the young people talk about their lives, what they enjoy, how they want to be treated, and what they want others to know about autism.
Lambeth SEND Young Inspectors programme
Our SEND Young Inspectors programme is a paid opportunity for young people to review our services and provide feedback and recommendations on how to improve them.
This summer, a group of young people inspected West Norwood Library. They will be meeting with our library managers to share their findings and give feedback on how to make the library better for young people with SEND. In August, another group of young people will inspect our Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) clubs to check if they are inclusive and accessible for young people with SEND.
In July 2024, a team of young inspectors reviewed the ‘I’m a young person’ section of the Local Offer.
Read the Young Inspectors Local Offer inspection report to find out more about their feedback and recommendations on how to improve it.
Contact Lulu Pinkney, our SEND Youth Involvement Coordinator, if you'd like to know more about this exciting opportunity.
How to get involved
We’d love to hear from you. If you want to join in, email Lulu at lpinkney@lambeth.gov.uk
More ways to join in and have your say
SEND Youth Council
Our SEND Youth Council is a group for young people with SEND to have their voices heard, represent others with SEND, take part in decision-making, and work on fun projects. We meet once a half-term in Brixton. We want to grow the group by involving more schools across the area. If you want to be involved, ask your teacher to email Lulu at lpinkney@lambeth.go.uk to find out more.
Lambeth Youth Council
A group of young people making positive changes by being directly involved in decision making, running projects, setting up events and create campaigns about issues that young people care about in Lambeth. Find out more about the Lambeth Youth Council and how you can apply to join.
UK Youth Parliament
An opportunity for 11 to 18 year olds to stand for election as a Member of Youth Parliament (MYP). It provides opportunities for young people to bring about social change through meaningful campaigning. Find out more about UK Youth Parliament.
Student councils and student unions
Ask at your sixth form or college about having a voice in your school or college.
Lambeth Autism Action Forum
The Autism Action Forum wants to help make Lambeth a great place for autistic people. The forum will meet 4 times a year to talk about important things like:
- helping people understand autism better
- making sure there’s good support in the community
- helping more autistic people find jobs
- keeping autistic people safe
You can join in as much or as little as you like.
If you have autism and you'd like to come along, please email allageautism@lambeth.gov.uk.
Voting and consultations
If you are 18 or over, you can vote in local and general elections. You need to make sure you are on the electoral register. MENCAP have guides to voting on their website.
Lambeth runs public consultations on a range of issues that may effect you.