FLARE is the Department for Education’s national advisory group. FLARE advises the DfE on their work relating to special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities.
FLARE, which stands for Friendship, Learning, Achieve, Reach and Empower, is a diverse group of disabled children and young people and those with SEN, up to the age of 25 from across England who work together to share their views and experiences with the Department for Education and other organisations, helping them understand how disabled children and young people and children and young people with SEN want to receive the support and services they need.
FLARE members are passionate about ensuring disabled children and young people have an equal say in the policies and practices that affect them and their families. FLARE and our other young people involved in regional groups within the programme play a key role in ensuring the voice and experiences of disabled children and young people are fully included in this work.
FLARE members also regularly write blogs, produce podcast episodes, deliver training, and co-design/deliver events with the Council for Disabled Children, to read these please click here.
FLARE won The Children’s Achievement Award at the Children and Young People Now Awards 2023. The Children and Young People Now Awards celebrate the people and organisations working with children, young people and families, and the award provides recognition for those working to improve the lives of children and families.
Regional groups
We regularly engage children and young people across the country in the same work FLARE does with Department for Education. Currently, children and young people working with the following organisations are taking part:
If you are interested in learning more about FLARE’s work or how you might get involved, please email us at [email protected].
Before FLARE, I would never have imagined delivering training to professionals or co-chairing conferences but thanks to FLARE, I’m not only happy now to do these things but I’m also more confident in daily life (I don’t have problems with independent travel and I’m now involved in my local community).
Young person
I feel really supported to participate in FLARE. There’s a really non-judgemental atmosphere.
Young person
