It is not always possible to anticipate where a conversation will lead. In this case, it resulted in a co-created response to a government consultation.
The work began with Working Together for Young People’s Wellbeing, a participatory day convened by WFET with Olive Academies, nurtureuk and the Centre for Social Justice.
People from schools, alternative and specialist provision, research, policy, clinical practice and youth organisations came together to consider how they could build on what already works and create a more joined-up approach to supporting young people’s social, emotional and mental health.
Participants shared examples from practice, identified areas needing greater attention and then co-created the agenda for a series of conversations. These explored issues including relational practice, youth voice, belonging, evidence and multi-agency working, allowing people to follow the questions where they felt they could contribute most.
In one of the final conversations, a small group considered how the connections made during the day might continue. The possibility of developing a joint response to the Education White Paper and SEND reform was raised, with a focus on early intervention, inclusive mainstream practice and meaningful engagement with young people.
WFET followed up after the event and invited others with relevant experience to join the work. What began as an idea shared by a few people on the day grew into a wider collaboration, bringing together different perspectives to co-create a collective response.
The response was not a predetermined outcome of the event. It emerged because people had the space to listen, make connections and pursue an idea where there was shared energy. It is a reminder that collaborative work does not always move in a straight line and that its most valuable outcomes can sometimes begin in an unexpected conversation.
