What is a Parent Forum ? It is an active group which has the specific aim to provide service providers with the views and concerns of their service user group.

HOW ? This is achieved through involving the forum in consultations and ensuring the parent forum has the opportunity to raise issues with children’s services managers at a strategic level.

Local Authorities Responsibilities Children and Families Act : Key principles The new law aims to improve the system by giving more importance to the views, wishes and feelings of children and young people and their families. It is based on these principles: Participation Outcomes Joint decisions Joint working

Participation Participation is a ongoing process. Parent forums need coordinating. They will need some kind of steering committee of parents or of parents, voluntary sector workers and professionals.

Centre 404 How does it work here ? Talking Shop – Now named the Parent Forum IPAG – Islington Parent Action Group – Steering Group to the Parent Forum. 12 members.

Parent Forum @ C404 The Islington Parent Forum formerly the Talking Shop, is a formal meeting that provides families of children with SEND with information about local and national disability services. The is group facilitated by Centre 404. There are 6 sessions a year, term time only. Current sessions are planned for Tuesdays or Wednesdays 10am-1pm, where possible. This group is for Islington parents or family carers of children, aged 0-19, who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. Whenever possible, the meetings will be attended by one speaker from the council and/or other organisations. Attendees are encouraged to suggest what they would like to receive information about and Centre 404 will endeavour to make this happen. The main aims of this group are: To increase parent knowledge by giving information on subjects relevant to disability, particularly around legislative changes and Islington’s disability provision. To empower parents by providing them with credible information they need on local and national disability services To help parents to know their rights and increase their confidence To give parents the opportunity to discuss their experiences with professionals and the council.

National Network of Parent Carer Forums (NNPCF) The NNPCF is a network of local forums meeting in regional settings, working together to effect local and national service improvement through participation and co production with parent carers. Each Parent Carer Forum includes parent carers with a full range of experiences in Health, Education and Social Care as their children have a wide range of conditions. Parents in the network total over 77,000: they contribute to local, regional and national consultations. The NNPCF continue to develop closer working relationships with local authorities and health authorities at all levels, including local working with Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs).

Blobs and Squares There are lots of changes going on at the moment with the introduction of the Children and Families Act and the Care Act, and it is more important then ever that parent carers help their local authorities and health partners to really understand the issues and views of those who use the services they provide, and to help shape what they look like. The most important thing is that you can make a difference where you live, for all children and young people with special educational needs or disability, and their families.