Dear CDC/DFE Team,

I am writing on behalf of the Youth Work Unit (Yorkshire & Humber), coordinating the Yorkshire & Humber SEND Youth Alliance, and representing SEND youth workers across the region.

Following a regional network meeting with SEND workers from multiple local authorities and organisations, we would like to formally share several concerns regarding the current White Bill consultation, particularly around engagement, accessibility, and the limited timeframe available to gather young people’s views.

  1. Concerns About Limited Time for Meaningful Consultation

Workers across the region consistently expressed that the consultation window does not provide sufficient time for:

  • Introducing the White Bill to young people in a meaningful, educational way
  • Supporting them to understand the content
  • Gathering informed responses, especially from those with additional needs
  • Reaching schools, many of which will be closed or unavailable due to the Easter break
  • Engaging young people who require more time, clarity, and support to participate fully

Many workers reported feeling “on the back foot”, with some only receiving materials or partial guidance very late in the process.

  1. Accessibility & Clarity of Consultation Materials

Workers also raised concerns that:

  • Some CDC materials have been slow to arrive, and guidance given has been inconsistent (e.g., requests to select two themes before later being told all five would be available).
  • The resources currently available are not sufficiently youth‑friendly, accessible, or differentiated for young people with a diverse range of needs.
  • Young people themselves report struggling to understand even “easy read” versions, indicating a need for significantly more accessible communication tools.

As a result, regional workers have had to spend considerable time creating or adapting materials themselves in order to make the consultation process equitable.

  1. Regional Response – Delivery of Our Own Consultation Sessions

Given the urgency and gaps in accessible materials, the Yorkshire & Humber SEND Youth Alliance will be running two online regional consultation sessions for young people:

  • Tuesday 16 April, 5.00-6.30pm
  • Monday 27 April 6.00-7.30pm

These will be supported by a youth‑friendly education and engagement session, co-designed with SEND young people.

Workers will also be using a bespoke resource pack we are preparing for delivery in schools and youth groups, where appropriate.

We are committed to ensuring young people across our region have the chance to understand the White Bill and offer meaningful input—despite the severe time constraints.

  1. Request for Clarification on Next Steps

To ensure the voices of young people in Yorkshire & Humber can be fed into the national consultation in the most effective way, we would appreciate clarity on the following:

  1. Submission Route
  • How should regional youth organisations submit findings that do not follow the CDC thematic format?
  • Will there be an opportunity to submit a single regional response representing the Yorkshire & Humber SEND Youth Networks/Alliance?
  1. Use of Regionally Developed Materials
  • Are we able to submit consultation findings gathered through our own youth‑developed engagement activities, even if they differ from CDC templates?
  1. Support & Communication
  • Will all resources be released publicly and simultaneously going forward to avoid confusion?
  • Can CDC provide an estimated timeline for any further tools or guidance?
  1. Acknowledgement of Limitations
  • How will CDC ensure that the final consultation report reflects:
    • the limited time available to youth workers, schools, families, and young people
    • the barriers created by delays in releasing accessible materials?
  1. Our Commitment

The regional SEND workforce is dedicated to ensuring that young people—particularly those with the highest needs—have their voices heard in decisions that directly affect them. Our concerns arise from wanting to uphold the principles of genuine participation, accessibility, and equity.

We greatly value CDC and DFE’s leadership in this process, and we hope this feedback helps strengthen the current consultation and future engagement activities.

Thank you for taking the time to consider this feedback. We would welcome a response regarding next steps so that we can guide our regional workers and young people appropriately.

Kind regards,

the Y&H regional SEND youth workers

Related Posts