Services for Young People (SfYP) is working with Public Health Hertfordshire to run a survey about the health and wellbeing of young people with SEND in the county.
By taking part, these young people can share their views on what matters most to them. This valuable information helps schools, commissioners, and a range of agencies and service providers better understand and support the needs of young people with SEND and their families. Schools also find the data extremely useful for understanding and monitoring their students’ needs and showing the impact of their support to Ofsted.
The survey has been designed for special schools but any young person aged 11-25 with SEND can complete it. It is an adapted version of the mainstream Young People’s Health and Wellbeing Survey (YPHWS) which gathers self-reported information from all young people in Hertfordshire aged 11-19 and has been running since 2020. The mainstream survey is now running every second year, so the next one will be taking place in 2026. This is because the trend in responses is typically stable, decreasing or increasing at a steady rate, with no sudden changes, so collecting data every year does not lead to greater insights.
What does the survey cover?
The survey was created with input from local organisations, education professionals, and young people to ensure it covers the most important and relevant topics. This year’s survey includes questions on:
- Mental health and wellbeing
- Healthy eating and physical activity
- Smoking, vaping and alcohol
- Sexual health
- Safety and bullying
- Education and prospects
In addition to collecting valuable data, the process of supporting young people with SEND to complete the survey can initiate beneficial conversations on these themes.
How to take part
The survey can be accessed on a computer, laptop, tablet or mobile. It will take varying times to complete depending on the age and needs of the young people. This year there is a ‘save and continue’ function so a young person can take more than one session to complete it if necessary. At the start of the survey young people will select their school/college from the list or select ‘other’ if not attending a special school.
It is important that the survey reflects young people’s views and opinions, however, we understand that some young people completing this survey may need support. It’s recommended they are given assurance that the information collected is anonymous, and where questions are personal, young people are given privacy to answer.
To ensure as many young people as possible share their views, please encourage any young people with SEND you know or work with to complete the survey:
Watch this short animation for an introduction to this year’s survey suitable for young people with SEND.
The survey results will be analysed by the Health Intelligence team and published in the 2026 summer term. Professionals who work with young people will be able to access summary reports online, containing county and district level information about young people’s health behaviours. Special schools and colleges can receive an individualised report if pupils submit over 50 completed surveys.
The findings of previous surveys (2020-2024) can be viewed on the YPHWS Dashboard.
This survey contributes to Hertfordshire County Council’s wider SEND improvement strategy and in particular SEND children and young people’s voice.
For further information or to receive support with implementing this survey please email yphws@hertfordshire.gov.uk.
