Advocacy and Influencing
Developing more equitable and inclusive support for children and young people
Young K&C’s role as the local Young People’s Foundation is to act as an advocate for children, young people, and the VCS in Kensington and Chelsea.
We use our connections with our members and community to communicate the needs of those we work with. More often than not, voluntary and community organisations lack the resources and capacity to be able to self-advocate and build meaningful partnerships.
How do we advocate?
- Building relationships with the VCS and decision makers
- Listening and learning from those around us
- Presenting first-hand experience, case studies and facts
- Actively working with decision makers to influence decisions
- Sharing changes and opportunities with the VCS
Our role as a key strategic partner in the borough has raised the profile of local issues affecting children and young people, influenced funding systems, and enhanced service delivery across the borough.
Case study
Hornimans Adventure Playground
22% of children and young people attending local voluntary organisations in Kensington and Chelsea are recognised as having SEND, with numbers continuing to grow. The true figure is likely higher, as some disabilities remain undiagnosed and people may be reluctant to disclose them to services.
Young K&C has actively advocated for greater inclusion and visibility of children with SEND across the borough. Our advocacy and programmes ensure that organisations are equipped, supported, and empowered to meet these needs.
Hornimans Adventure Playground is a powerful example of this advocacy in action. With support from Young K&C’s Making Space grant, they launched a dedicated SEND programme that transformed the accessibility of their services.
Through tailored activities and consistent one-to-one support from a dedicated SEND worker, children experienced reduced isolation and improved emotional regulation. A meaningful partnership with Pursuing Independent Pathways extended this to young adults with more complex needs, who built practical skills and self-esteem through gardening and animal care. Young K&C’s role went far beyond funding. Our advocacy helped Hornimans upskill staff through SEND-focused training and promote their inclusive approach to other funders and providers.
Young K&C’s strategic involvement not only helped embed inclusive practice within Horniman’s but also strengthened the wider ecosystem of support for children with SEND, laying the groundwork for lasting cultural change on how inclusion is delivered across the borough.
My son loves it here… I trust the staff to help him.
— Parent of young person