Natspec’s Student Voice Parliament provides a fully inclusive space for learners with SEND in Further Education to be part of a collective and learner-led voice to talk about subject’s important to them.
Student Voice Parliament
The Parliament meets twice a year. It is hosted by five colleges in different regions across England and Wales with parts of the agenda held online and other parts in person allowing learners to talk with other learners from different colleges. The agenda is set by members of the Parliament and chaired and hosted by learners from a different college each time it meets.
Topics are raised by members of the Parliament and have included how the requirement for Voter ID disadvantages young people with learning difficulties and disabilities who typically don’t have a driving licence and may not have a passport.
They also raised how access to mental health services is a big problem. Some members of the Parliament shared how their mental health needs were not addressed because decision makers focused on their learning difficulties and disabilities and didn’t recognise, they may also have mental health needs. Access to mental health services can be sometimes feel impossible for learners. Transitions from school to college happen often happen at the same time young people move from children’s to adult services where the service offered can be very different. Members of the Parliament spoke about the stress that waiting for mental health support placed on them and their families.
Members of the Parliament have been considering how the positive contributions that young people with learning difficulties and disabilities make to their wider communities can often be underestimated.
They have been sharing examples of the ways they are educating their local communities about issues of access and inclusion and promoting wellbeing.
For more information on the Student Voice Parliament email our Learner Voice Co-ordinator Andrew.Evans@natspec.org.uk
Learner-led research
Over the last two years members of the Parliament have undertaken their own learner-led research with their peers on what learners want from the staff working with them. Two posters have been produced from their findings.
Download 2023’s Listen, Respect, Include poster
Download 2024’s It’s a right to have a voice poster
Upcoming Student Voice Parliament meetings
Student Voice Parliament
28 November 2024This event is for students from Natspec member colleges to come together, discuss and collaborate on topics that are important to them and to make sure their collective voice is heard.
Student Voice Parliament
8 May 2025This event is for students from Natspec member colleges to come together, discuss and collaborate on topics that are important to them and to make sure their collective voice is heard.
Natspec Learner Voice network
The Student Voice Parliament is supported by staff in colleges, many of whom are member of the Learner voice network who share approaches and expertise across the UK.
Resources
Natspec has developed resources to support colleges in listening and responding to learner voices.
