Nottingham teen achieves DJing dream with council’s short breaks service
Teenager with additional needs and disabilities receives support from council scheme to pay for lessons in DJing; now he is playing in professional gigs and producing his own music.
Now aged 18, Max Dolan additional needs and disabilities were first addressed while at mainstream primary school. An education, health and care plan (EHCP) was agreed for him while he in year 6. In year 8, he transferred to a special school.
Photo courtesy of Nottinghamshire Country Council
Max has long held ambitions to be a DJ, in part Inspired by comic characters Kevin and Perry (created by comedians Harry Enfield and Kathy Burke). From the age of 13, he’s taken lessons in DJing, funding for which has been supported by Nottinghamshire County Council’s ‘short breaks’ scheme.
Since then, Max has been awarded certificates in DJing, has played at Gloworm festival with FourFour DJ Academy and is not producing his own music. He’s already had several songs signed by a small label, which are available to stream and buy. Max is now keen to play in clubs and to travel the world as a DJ.
Nottinghamshire offers short breaks to children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) as part of the wider local area partnership strategy developed with stakeholders including parents, carers, and children and young people with SEND. The aim of the strategy is to champion and improve the experiences and outcomes of children and young people with SEND. This is done by ensuring that the children and young people are listened to – and heard. In addition, the strategy seeks to ensure that they are the healthiest they can be and are safe, that they feel safe, accepted and valued, and they that can enjoy life, have fun and be prepared for their futures.
Max says: ‘I have a lot of confidence in my mixing skills. Many bigger artists have said I am quick and exceptionally good with my technical skills. I have DJed with Phillip George who had three top 10 singles in the UK. All of this has happened in my life due to the amazing funding from the short breaks service at Notts County Council. I am so thankful and will appreciate all the funding and help and support. I would have found employment so hard given all my needs and disabilities but DJing is a massive passion so now I have these skills me and my family have hope for my future. Yes, I will still require help and support but to be able to work and enjoy my life is something else. I thank everyone so much for helping me achieve my dreams and give me a future.’
Cllr Sam Smith, Cabinet Member for Education and SEND at Nottinghamshire County Council, adds: ‘Giving young people with special educational needs and disabilities, like Max, the opportunities to have fun and prepare for their future is exactly what we want to achieve. We have just launched our new SEND partnership strategy which has a set of outcomes and ambitions young people have told us are important to them and Max’s story really reflects why those ambitions are important. The strategy demonstrates the partnership commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people in Nottinghamshire. Max clearly has a passion and a talent, and I wish him luck in achieving his dreams.’
Rosa Waddingham, Chief Nurse at NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, says: ‘Max’s story is a great example of what we’re trying to achieve as a SEND partnership. It’s been a positive experience listening to children and young people and their families to find out what’s important to them. We’re going to use this feedback and work together to ensure positive experiences for our children and young people living and growing up in Nottinghamshire.’
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