A CONFERENCE for children and young people with special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities was attended by more than 70 youngsters.

The event, organised by Hampshire County Council, gave young people the chance to have their say on the information they would like to see included in a Local Offer, being created by Hampshire’s Special Education-al Needs and Disability Pathfinder, to contain information about local services available to young people with SEN from birth to 25-years-old.

The youngsters also heard from Aaron Phipps, Team GB paralympian in wheelchair rugby, who gave an inspirational speech about his experience of the 2012 Paralympic Games.

Councillor Peter Edgar, the council’s executive member for education, said: “It’s really positive that a diverse group of young people from across Hampshire attended the conference to tell us their views on services for children and young people with SEN and disabilities.

“We regularly hold youth conferences to enable young people to participate in local decision making so that we can listen directly to them and they can help shape our services.

“The Local Offer that we are producing will outline all services and support available to children and young people with SEN or disabilities in Hampshire, including education, health, social care and leisure services.

“It will help to improve choice and transparency for families, and it is vital that we develop it with parents and carers, and children and young people to meet the needs of people locally.”

At the conference, children also had the chance to speak with representatives from various organisations including Duke of Edinburgh and the council’s Short Breaks team, as well as take part in group activities.

For more information on the Local Offer, visit hants.gov.uk/SE7sendpathfinder.