As parents and carers of children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), you're the most important people in your child’s life. By working together with us you can enhance your child’s learning and development.
We want to work with you and make sure you can influence our services. We want to get better at doing this so we’re working with you all of the time, not just some of the time.
What you’ve told us
Parents and carers have often told us that the Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) does a great job. Especially with supporting them to get their voices heard for their child.
You've also told us that communication needs to be better. But since 2016 we haven’t had a parent and carer forum in Barnsley. This has made it harder for you to influence the planning and delivery of services, or the kinds of services and support that are available for you.
What we think would work well
There are several thousand parents and carers in Barnsley whose children have SEND and whose voices need to be heard. We’re looking at asking an expert independent organisation to help to support all parents and carers to become more involved in Barnsley. It will be one that can promote the voice of parents and carers, including those who aren’t able or willing to speak up for themselves.
We’d like you to help us choose the successful organisation. We expect that the successful organisation will be able to:
- work with parents and carers to create a parent and carer-led approach
- make sure they reach and represent the views of as many parents and carers as possible
- support parents and carers to work with the Children, Young People and Families Trust. This will make sure their voices and views are reflected in our plans
- be sensitive to the circumstances of families
- access grants to help develop participation in Barnsley
Importantly, to be successful the organisation will need to be:
- expert in how to support parents and carers to be involved in a way that suits them
- independent of the local authority, the NHS and schools
- able to promote the voice of parents and carers with those who make decisions in all our services
- inclusive of all parents and carers