Sara Ann Hope

The session will be a mix of facilitator presentation and participant work. The presentation will give the background of why and how this is an important topic for attendees to be aware of, and the participant work will allow them to try putting theory into practice, designing and making resources for their own industry.

Why this session is needed: In England, 19.6% of school-age pupils (nearly 1 in 5) have identified Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Around 1 in 10 (or 10.4%) of young adults aged 16 to 24 in the UK identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB). This suggests that there is definitely some crossover between the two groups. There is also a significant and well-documented overlap between the LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent communities. Studies indicate that anywhere from 30% to 70% of neurodivergent individuals also identify as part of the queer community. Conversely, queer individuals are significantly more likely to be neurodivergent than their cisgender, heterosexual peers. Having said all of this, in over a decade of experience working in education and over half of that in specific SEND settings, I have noticed that LGBT+ support is often woefully inadequate for young people with complex SEND. In addition to this, there is a long history of infantilising or desexualising people who are disabled, and assuming that they cannot be LGBT+ for example as they are disabled. This leads to a landscape of LGBT+ support that is devoid of inclusion for young people with SEND, and is delivered by people who are not experienced in the nuances of working with such people. Young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) need LGBT+ inclusive support because they navigate intersecting vulnerabilities. They face compounded discrimination, heightened risks of isolation and exploitation, and a severe lack of tailored resources. Inclusive support is essential for their safety, mental well-being, and personal development Our young people with SEND deserve better, which is why I think it is imperative to have a session at the mini-conference devoted specifically to supporting these young people. Some organisations exist with good quality SEND cantered resources, but it is not always easy to find if you are not used to working in the industry. Key Takeaways: How to make services accessible to young people with varying SEND needs

How to design and make inclusive resources for your service users How to engage effectively with the support networks around young people with SEND who are LGBT+