At West Sussex Parent Carer Forum, we are all parent carers like you, which is why we are so committed to make sure that ‘SEND is everyone’s business’ and that takes a lot of work!
We believe that parent carers are experts by experience and as such, have a unique understanding of how challenging life can be raising a child or young person with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND).
That’s why we are passionate about parent carer participation in all the work we do!
A Parent Carer Forum is a formal group of parent carers of children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) who work with local authorities, education settings, health providers and other providers to make sure that the services they commission, plan and deliver meet the needs of disabled children and families.
Parent carers can join their local forums by signing up to become a member and then getting involved.
There are 152 Parent Carer Forums across the country and they all work together as part of a national network to ensure that SEND families views are being heard.
You can find out more about parent carer forums and what they do by watching the short video below.
We believe that every single one of us can make a difference, especially when we all work together, so please sign up to become a member of WSPCF by clicking on the blue Sign-up button at the top of this page.
Membership is open to any family members or carers of any child or young person with special educational needs and/or disability (SEND) who live in or access services in West Sussex.
Your child/young person does not have to have a diagnosis for you to become a member.
Membership is free and entitles you to access all our popular events as well as receive important information and our newsletter directly.
Our core purpose is to ensure parent carers views in West Sussex help to make sure that services reflect the needs of local families. We are independent from the NHS, Local Authority and other education, health and care services, so parent carers can talk to us confidently and freely about their views and experiences.
As parent carers we know how hard it can be at times. There can be lots of information and it can be hard to know where to start. Sometimes you just need to talk to someone who ‘gets it’.
We provide a range of information, support and training that include chances for you to meet up with other parent carers, attend workshops to get information and we are also there to answer any questions or signpost you to the right place – so please do get in touch.
Our coffee mornings are a chance for you to meet other parent carers and our fantastic team, it is also a chance for you to feedback your views on SEND services in West Sussex that we then share with the local authority and health partners.
Our online Talking Heads events are about empowering you by sharing important information that helps you as a parent carer.
We also ensure that parent carers and professionals have opportunities to work together, recognising each other’s expert knowledge and together making informed decisions that will shape services to best fit the needs of our children and young people.
If so, you’re not alone. What’s more, we can help you overcome these challenges. We are here to help you succeed and enjoy your special needs journey.