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Partnership with Parents (PwP) is funded by Kent County
Council for parents, carers and schools, but operates at
'arms-length' from the authority. Our role is to inform and empower
parents/carers on all aspects of educational needs to help make
decisions that are right for the child.
We believe the best results for all children happen
when parents, schools, the local authority and other agencies work
together in partnership. This is particularly important if a child
has additional or special educational needs.
PwP is committed to providing a flexible and supportive service
responsive to the individual needs to give all parents/carers the
opportunity to be involved in decisions about their child's
education.
Services
- Helpline - PwP's helpline team can help you to
make decisions that are right for your child. Please follow this
link to see the results for the recent
survey on the helpline's users .
- Leaflets and information sheets - PwP provides
written information about education procedures and details of local
and national voluntary organisations that can help you
- Tapes and videos - for you to borrow
containing information of education processes and conditions and
disabilities
- A Resolving Disagreements service - Staff
trained in mediation to help resolve disagreements positively in
either formal or informal situations
-
Merge of Service Standards - Communication between all those
involved in a child's education is the key to good
relationships
Supporting parents/carers
Partnership with Parents believes that the best results for all
children happen when all partners (parents/carers and
professionals) work together to plan appropriate educational
provision. This is particularly important if a child has additional
or special educational needs.
We can provide information, advice and support to parents/carers
so that they can confidently take part in the decision-making
processes that affect their child's educational needs. This
includes
- their rights and responsibilities
- who to talk to in school about their concerns
- how their child is assessed and helped in schools
- when progress should be discussed
- what happens during a statutory assessment
If you would like to talk to someone confidentially about your
child's needs or education at school, please contact our
Helpline.
Independent Parental Supporters
Partnership with Parents can also help parents/carers decide who
could be their Independent Parental Supporter (IPS).
An IPS is someone who helps parents/carers of children with
additional or special educational needs by providing information
and impartial advice to help them make informed decisions about
their child's education. This can include helping parents/carers
with paperwork, writing reports or letters, as well as supporting
parents/carers in preparing for or attending meetings.
Independent parental supporters can be:
- A friend, neighbour or relative
- Someone from a parent support group or a voluntary
- A volunteer working with the Partnership with Parents
service
If you would like to find out more about becoming an IPS, please
contact us using the details in the Contacts and Feedback section.
If you would like to volunteer to become an IPS, please visit the
Volunteering section which includes the appropriate forms for you
to complete.
Volunteering
Partnership with Parents (PwP) runs a training programme for
volunteers who wish to become an Independent Parental Supporters
(IPS).
An IPS provides parents/carers of children with additional or
special education needs with information and impartial advice to
help them make informed decisions.
If you are interested in becoming an IPS please complete and
return the appropriate documents in the IPS
Information
Pack, contents listed below.
- Could you be an IPS?
- IPS job description
- IPS job application
- IPS training programme outline
The documents can be returned electronically, or by fax or post.
Please visit the Contacts and Feedback sections for details.
Partnership with Parents Steering Group
To help us ensure that our services meet parent/carer's needs,
PwP meets regularly with parents/carers, teachers and voluntary
organisations to plan and develop the way we work. Your ideas and
experiences could help us shape the future for others.
If you would like to join our Steering Group and can spare a few
hours each year please contact us.
Focus groups
Every so often, PwP is asked to set up a 'focus group' for Kent
Local Education Authority to discuss different aspects of
additional educational needs.
Kent LA is committed to listening to its customers (including
parents, carers and pupils). If you would like to be involved in a
focus group, please send us your name and contact details and we
will let you know about any forthcoming events.
Working with schools
Partnership with Parents can help schools by:
- Developing and enhancing their policy and practice in working
with parents/carers
- Providing parents/carers with access to information, advice and
support to make informed contributions about their child's
education
- Promoting partnership between schools, parent support groups
and voluntary organisations within local communities
- Training and supporting Independent Parental Supporters (see
the Supporting Parents and Volunteering sections) so that
parents/carers are confident that they can take an active role in
their child's education
Partnership with Parents can support schools by:
- Offering workshops for staff on working with
parents/carers
- Facilitating focus groups of parents/carers to seek their
views
- Assisting in the production of parent/carer-friendly and
accessible information
- Helping them to overcome barriers with parents/carers
- Working together to develop strategies to maximise parent/carer
participation and partnership working
For details of how Partnership with Parents could work with your
school please contact your Area co-ordinator.
Resources
A
range of leaflets on Additional and Special Educational Needs
issues is available. If you would like information on an issue that
is not covered below, please contact
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