EPIC Artful Asks competition

It’s time to get your questions answered

EPIC want to know what really matters to you. If you could ask any question about the Special Education Needs and Disability reform plans what would it be? Perhaps there is something you want to know about Education, Health and Care Plans, or maybe you feel that something obvious is missing from the proposals that would make a huge difference to your life. Whatever it is EPIC want to know about it.

It is really important to EPIC that we are able to represent the views of as many disabled children and young people and those with special educational needs as possible. EPIC know that it can be difficult for your voices to be heard so they are launching a competition to find out what you think about the planned changes to special educational needs, which are part of the government’s Children and Families Bill.

However, just asking a question can be a bit boring so to make this competition fun and inclusive EPIC wants you to ask your question in a piece of Art. This can be any type of art you want – a video, short film, a song, photo, a collage – anything at all! The only condition is you will need to be able to e-mail the piece of art to EPIC.

The competition will run between 1st August to 22nd September 2013 and the winner will be chosen by the 14 members of EPIC. The winner will be announced by EPIC on 7th October 2013 and we will publicise the winner via EPIC, the Council for Disabled Children and the Department for Education’s website, facebook and twitter accounts.

So, what do you win?

The winning entry will meet Edward Timpson, Minister for Children and Families, and get to ask him their question directly. You will be able to talk to the Minister and tell him how you feel about the reforms, what you think is good and what you would like to see changed. During their visit to Westminster the winner will also receive either a trip on the London Eye or a Thames River tour, and a visit to Parliament.

The winning entry will also be used by EPIC, the Council for Disabled Children and the Department for Education to promote young people’s participation in the Special Education Needs and Disability reform plans.

Other stuff to know:

All competition entries must be received by 6pm on 22nd September 2013. Your entry should be e-mailed to [email protected]. Your entry should include your piece of Art and consent forms all young people involved.

If you have any questions about the competition please send them to [email protected].

The competiton rules can be found via this link.

You can find the consent form at this link.

To learn more about the Special Education Needs and Disability Reform plans you can click here to look at a PowerPoint presentation.

Stuck for a question? Here’s some ideas.

Why this competition is important to us:

"Embrace your creative character by getting your message across and possibly change the future." - Corey, EPIC advisor

"These reforms will affect young people's lives, so young people are the most important people to ask the questions; We look forward to seeing them." - Christine Lenehan, Director, Council for Disabled Children

EPIC works in partnership with the Department for Education and is supported by the Council for Disabled Children.