Parent Partnership Services

What is Parent Partnership?

The aim of Parent Partnership is to make sure that the parents of children with additional needs (including the very young) have access to information, advice and guidance in relation to the special educational needs of their children so that they can make appropriate, informed decisions.

What does the Code of Practice about working with parents?

The Code of Practice says:

All parents of children with special educational needs should be treated as partners.

They should be offered support to help them to:

recognise and fulfil their responsibilities as parents and play an active and valued role in their children's education;
have knowledge of their child's entitlement within the SEN framework;
make their views known about how their child is educated;
have access to information, advice and support during assessment and any related decision-making processes about special educational provision.

The Parent Partnership Service

The Parent Partnership Service provides information on good communication and relationships with parents to teachers, governors and staff in SEN sections of the Local Education Authority (LEA).
The Parent Partnership Service can put you in touch with an Independent Parental Supporter.

Independent Parental Supporters

Independent Parental Supporters are volunteers. They are trained by the Parent Partnership Service on Education Law and on the Special Needs Code of Practice as well as policies and practices in your LEA.

Independent Parental Supporters are there to:

help you to prepare for meetings and/or attend meetings with you;
listen to your concerns and help you to express your views;
help you to understand what is happening during any assessment of your child's needs;
help you to fill in forms, write letters or make telephone calls;
help to get information or make contact with other people who can help you or come with you on visits to schools;
offer general support to do with the education of your child.

Information

The Parent Partnership Service provides accurate and impartial information on:

special educational needs procedures;
rights, roles and responsibilities of all parties in the special educational needs process;
options available for your child's education;
how your view can inform and influence the development of policy and practice in the LEA.
other agencies, such as Health, Social Services and Voluntary Organisations.

A wide range of information for parents can be made available in community languages, and to parents who may not be able to gain access to information through conventional means.

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