Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the cards for?

The cards are designed for Educational Psychologists, SENCOs, learning mentors, pastoral staff, and any professional supporting children and young people in school. They are suitable for use in mainstream, specialist and alternative provision settings.

How do I use the cards?

The cards can be used in one-off sessions or as part of ongoing work with a child or young person. Simply invite them to sort the cards into categories such as:

“Like me” / “Not like me” / “Sometimes like me” (Strengths and Needs Deck)
“Helpful” / “Not Helpful” / “Sometimes helpful” (The Strategy Deck)

Use their responses as a starting point for open conversation, observation, planning, or written reports.

What makes the cards child-friendly?

Every card features:

Clear, simple language suited to the child or young person's developmental level
Engaging illustrations that represent diverse children and young people and are easy to interpret
Concrete concepts that children and young people can relate to through their own school experiences

This makes the cards accessible for children and young people with SEND, including those with speech, language and communication needs, or difficulties expressing themselves verbally.

Why not just talk to the child or young person?

Verbal discussions can be overwhelming, especially for children or young people with additional needs. The cards offer:

A visual and concrete structure to guide discussion
A non-threatening way to reflect and express preferences
Opportunities to share more nuanced views, even for those who are reluctant to speak

This approach is particularly valuable in consultation work and when gathering authentic pupil voice.

Are the cards suitable for the EHCP process?

Yes – absolutely. The cards help to:

Gather the child or young person's views, wishes and feelings as part of the EHCP assessment
Highlight areas of strength and difficulty across all four areas of outlined in the SEN Code of Practice; Communication and Interaction, Cognition and Learning, Social and Emotional, Physical and Sensory. The cards are colour coded to the four areas for ease of use.
Inform targeted recommendations and support planning
Ensure the child’s voice is clearly reflected in documentation

They are ideal for early-stage work as well as during Annual Reviews, provision mapping or transition planning.

Can the cards be used more than once?

Yes. The cards are designed for flexible use:

In single sessions, to gain a snapshot of the child or young person's views
Over multiple sessions, to build rapport and track progress over time
With individuals or small groups, depending on the setting

They are also helpful for transition planning, pupil voice activities, and strength-based reviews.

Are there versions for different age groups?

We recommend that the My School Experience cards are used with children aged 5-12. The Teen+ cards are aimed at young people ages 13-25. We advise that professionals use their judgement and knowledge of the child or young person to select the cards most suitable. Some of the cards will be suitable for older or younger pupils using simple adult-led language adjustments.