Reflections of a SEND Expert by Experience

Published August 2026

In this blog post, CJ Ezeife shares his experience as a SEND Expert by Experience and reflects on how he has helped make a difference for other young people with SEND.

About me

HI! My name is CJ Ezeife. I’m 26 years old and live in Biggleswade. I studied at North Hertfordshire College, and before that attended The Valley School in Stevenage. I've been an Expert by Experience since June 2024.

What does a SEND Expert by Experience do?

Being a SEND Expert by Experience involves sharing my experiences as an autistic person so that people understand what it is like.

Since joining the team, I've given presentations to Board meetings at Hertfordshire County Council, at the Big Get Together event in 2025, and the Festival of Practice in October 2024.

We get to talk about disabilities and talk to other professionals. We work together as a group with other staff from the council on a range of projects including the SEND provision consultation and Preparing for Adulthood toolkit. I have also created videos for Voices of Hertfordshire Youtube channel, and worked with Mirando Gittos (Director of Specialist Services and Commissioning) as her reverse mentor, sharing my eperiences and helping to bring a young person's perspective to decision-making.

Some Highlights

One of my favourite experiences was working with fellow Experts by Experience, Dom and Katie, to create a video for the SEND Festival of Practice.

I also really enjoyed:

my reverse mentoring sessions with Miranda
giving presentations at a Foster Carer Coffee Morning
speaking to students from Holy Family School
meeting other Experts by Experience, listening to them and understanding more about other disabilities.

Reflections

Being an Expert by Experience has helped me see that young people's voices can make a real difference.

I feel like I've made a significant impact on improving things for young people with SEND. I'm especially proud of my work on the 'This is me' form. I was able to suggest changes that help make sure that young people's voices are heard in Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) forms.

One word to describe my experience of being an Expert: Unforgettable!

Could you be an Expert by Experience?

I would recommend this role to anyone who has a disability - don't be afraid to apply! There is more work to be done. Each Expert by Experience brings their own experience, and it is important to have a variety of voices on the team: young people with SEND have different disabilities and different things to say.

Roles for the Experts by Experience are usually advertised in the Summer term. Keep an eye on the SEND Newsletter and our social media channels for updates and opportunities to apply.