How The Connection Kit Works

We begin by gathering information from both staff and young people.

Staff complete a short setting review, while young people complete a simple voice questionnaire using an accessible star-rating system.

Together, these provide a starting point and help us understand current levels of participation, belonging, engagement and support across the setting.

Staff complete a short 17-question profile for each child or young person.

The questionnaire can be completed on a phone, tablet or computer, with no login required.

The focus is not on diagnosis or labels.

Instead, we identify patterns in how young people communicate, participate and respond within their environment.

Once profile mapping is complete, we analyse the information alongside:

• Young Person Voice
• Setting Review data

This helps us understand:

• how the cohort communicates as a whole
• common participation barriers
• areas of strength
• opportunities to improve access and engagement

The findings are brought together into a Connection Kit Baseline Report.

Using the information gathered, we develop practical pathways to participation.

Rather than focusing on activities themselves, we look at how young people access experiences and what may help them engage more successfully.

This may include different routes into:

• movement-based activities
• creative activities
• discussion and oracy
• written activities

The aim is not to change what you already offer.

The aim is to help more young people access it.

Settings apply the pathways within their existing provision.

After approximately six weeks, staff complete a midpoint review to reflect on:

• what is working well
• emerging patterns
• any adjustments that may be helpful

This helps ensure the framework remains responsive to the needs of the group.

After approximately twelve weeks, staff complete a final review and young people repeat the voice questionnaire.

This allows us to explore changes in:

• participation
• belonging
• engagement
• confidence
• connection

A final report summarises key findings, progress made and recommendations for next steps.

Staff share what they are seeing.

Young people share how they are experiencing the setting.

The Connection Kit brings these perspectives together to create practical, evidence-informed recommendations that help more young people feel able to take part, connect and thrive.