Deep Dive feedback on co-production with young people

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SEND Local Offer

Worcestershire’s SEND Partnership has received feedback from the Department for Education (DfE) and NHS England (NHSE) following a recent Deep Dive into our work with children and young people with SEND.

What is a Deep Dive?

A Deep Dive is a detailed review carried out by DfE and NHS England to look closely at areas of priority in a local area’s SEND improvement plan.

For this latest Deep Dive, the agreed Area of Priority Action was about how we are developing genuine co-production with children and young people with SEND.

What did the Deep Dive say is working well?

  • formal representation of young people at the SEND Executive Board
  • the creation of Voices United, a recognised forum for children and young people with a co-produced identity, agreement and development plan
  • young people valuing the chance to be involved “before decisions are made,” including work such as making A&E departments more neurodivergent friendly
  • children and young people reporting that they have made new friends, connections and an increased sense of purpose, with clear evidence of mutual respect and motivation
  • growing co-production with the Parent Carer Forum and joint work on training
  • a partnership vision, co-production commitment and shared outcomes now in place
  • operational programmes that “translate voice into service change,” including Inclusive guidance, Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools, Easy Read templates and service development groups

What needs more focus next?

While progress is clear, the Deep Dive also says it is “visible but uneven.” Young people said meaningful change is only just starting to emerge and that feedback loops and access to information are inconsistent.

Areas to improve include:

  • making sure co-production is embedded across the whole partnership, not just in some services
  • avoiding praise that feels tokenistic and ensuring follow-through and visible action
  • Broadening Voices United so it includes young people with complex needs, physical and sensory impairments, and under-represented groups
  • strengthening work with older young people preparing for adulthood

Read the full Deep Dive feedback report here: Deep Dive Report - Coproduction with CYP Jan 2026.