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Experts by Experience

 


Meet our Experts

Callum 

"My goal is to enhance the quality of our community within SEND and to foster a more inclusive and supportive environment in Hertfordshire SEND community".

Freddie 

"My aim in becoming an expert by experience is to use my voice to help communicate the needs of young people and improve the services that SEND already provides... I want to continue learning and developing as a person while making a positive impact on society".

Emma  

"This job is important to me as I have grown up with people not understanding me and the difficulties, physical and emotional I have had to face. I would like to let young people know that there are people out there willing to listen and make a change and that’s what I am passionate about. It would be amazing to see that I have made a difference within the SEND community and that I have empowered people to have their voice heard".

Emma Expert By Experience

Ellis  

"Overcoming challenges is an intrinsic part of the journey for young adults with disabilities. Advocating is very crucial for everyone involved with SEND. Having a voice at the table can change the educational landscape for individuals with disabilities like me. "


 

Timi  

"Throughout my life, I have faced numerous challenges due to my condition, although I have always strived to overcome them with determination and resilience. My journey has taught me the importance of perseverance and the value of hard work. ... I am excited about the future and the opportunities it holds. I am committed to expanding my knowledge on special educational needs to help the young people of Hertfordshire as much as I can."

 

Dom
 

Will
 

Alyssia
 

What do the Experts do? 

SEND Experts by Experience work alongside the Council to help improve services for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their families.  

They use their lived experience to influence decision-making and ensure that the voices of children and young people are heard. 

By working collaboratively with the Council, SEND Experts by Experience help ensure services are more inclusive, effective, and responsive to the needs of children, young people, and families. 

They support the Council through:

  • Presentations – sharing their experiences and insights with professionals and stakeholders.
  • School visits – providing feedback and helping schools understand their lived experience. 
  • Consultation – contributing to discussions, reviews, and service development. 
  • Feedback – offering honest views on policies, processes, and services. 
  • Co-production – working in partnership with the Council to design, develop, and improve services. 
  • Reverse mentoring – helping leaders and professionals learn directly from lived experience to improve understanding and practice. 

Reverse Mentoring 

Reverse mentoring pairs an adult leader or practitioner with a young person with SEND.​ The aim is for the adult mentee to learn from the lived experience of the young person and to reflect on how their insights can shape better practice, systems, and culture.​  Reverse mentoring:​

  • challenges assumptions​
  • builds empathy​
  • strengthens inclusion​
  • elevates lived experience​
  • supports better decision-making​

Role of the Mentee (the adult)

You are expected to:

  • create a safe, respectful place
  • listen actively and without judgement
  • allow the young person to set the pace and direction
  • ask open, gentle questions
  • be mindful of power imbalances
  • be reliable and consistent
  • show curiosity without pressure
  • reflect on what you learn and how it will influence your practice

You must not: 

  • probe for traumatic or deeply personal details
  • take over or dominate the conversation
  • expert the young person to 'perform' or educate you on demand
  • make promises you cannot keep
  • share personal opinions that could feel dismissive
  • treat sessions as 'feedback meetings' or service evaluations

 

Role of the Mentor (the young person)

You are expected to: 

  • share your lived experience (as much as you feel comfortable)
  • talk about what helps and what doesn't
  • offer ideas for making things better
  • ask your mentee questions
  • take breaks whenever you need them

You must not:

  • share anything personal that feels uncomfortable
  • talk about trauma or distressing events
  • solve problems in the service
  • know all the answers

 

How we make a difference

The Experts by Experience make a difference through: 

  • Advocacy – supporting children and young people with SEND to have their voices heard, while also advocating for the wider SEND community. By sharing their experiences, raising awareness, and influencing decision-makers, they help drive positive change for current and future generations of children and young people with SEND. 
  • SEND Strategy Animation – helping to develop and promote key SEND priorities in an accessible and engaging way, ensuring families can understand and contribute to the SEND strategy. 
  • Reverse Mentoring – sharing their experiences directly with senior leaders and professionals, increasing understanding and influencing positive change in practice and decision-making. 
  • Training Videos – contributing to and featuring in training resources that help professionals better understand the experiences, challenges, and strengths of children, young people, and families with SEND.