1. Islington Parents Forum
21st September 2016

2. Feedback and developments

3. Disability Cards are changing!
Having proof of a disability may help to:
get concessionary rates or free entrance for a carer at some attractions
explain a disability is not immediately obvious, such as autistic, global developmental delay
avoid queues in areas of difficulty such as theme parks (although there is no guarantee of this)

4. Disability Cards are changing!
A new National Disabled Identification Card (DID) is now available
Replacement Islington ID cards are no longer available from Centre 404
Information about Disabled Identification Card can be found here: 

5. Cinema 404

6. News updates

7. New Strategy for Carers - NNPCF’s response to the survey
The Department of Health wants to put in place a strategy to reflect the lives of the carers, their health and financial concerns and also give the support carers need to improve their wellbeing while caring for somebody.
DH started the campaign ‘call for evidence’ sending out a survey titled ‘how can we improve support for carers?’ that ran from 18th March 2016 to 31st July 2016.
To see the NNPCF’s full response to ‘Call for Evidence’ contact Beatriz and she will it to you.

8. EHC experiences survey
From Monday 25 July 2016, families in England who have had an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan finalised in 2015 will be invited by the Department of Education to complete an anonymous survey.
This is the only government survey about EHC experiences.
The results will help the government and local authorities learn from parents' experiences and make improvements to the system in the future.

9. EHC experiences survey
Did anybody in the forum complete the survey?
Any issues to raise?

10. Priorities for the forum in 2017 Evidence of the issues raised by parents
Summary of calls to the Contact a Family helpline between 1st September 2015 and 30th June 2016

11. Helpline calls England 1st September 2015 and 30th June 2016

12. Top 10 Helpline calls from London from 1st September 2015 and 30th June 2016

13. Islington Calls to the Helpline 1st September 2015 and 30th June 2016

14. Discussion
Does that summary of calls represent the issues parents in Islington face?