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Wolverhampton Information Network

Voice4Parents - Wolverhampton's Parent Carer Forum

Voice4Parents represents the views of parents and carers in Wolverhampton, however, please be aware we do not advocate for individual families. 

As a Parent Carer Forum, our core steering group membership is made up of parents and carers whose children and young people (0-25 years) have a wide range of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Additional information can be found on our Voice4Parents website.
You will also find Newsletterssupport information and details of our coffee mornings etc.

We value all types of feedback - please supply some using the feedback link on our website.

The POW Project 

The Power of Words (POW) Project is a collaboration from Voice4Parents and Wolverhampton Outreach Service. The aim of the project is to inspire positive change in the language used by professionals when speaking about children with SEND.
Further information can be found at The Power of Words Project (POW).

A Parent Carer Forum 

Our core steering group membership is made up of parents and carers whose children and young people (0-25 years) have a wide range of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

We aim to ensure the views of parents and carers are considered and valued to improve and shape future service provision for children, young people and their families across education, health and social care services within the local area. 

We do this by;

  • gathering parents and carers views in a variety of ways
  • highlighting common issues
  • working in co-production (as equal partners) with key SEND leads and head of services
  • finding out about service developments and national policy and how they affect families
  • responding to consultations

Voice4Parents is part of the regional and National Network of Parent Carer Forums.

All parents and carers commitment to Voice4Parents is on a voluntary basis.

What does your service do?

Voice4Parents is a Parent Carer Forum, our core steering group membership is made up of parents and carers whose children have a wide range of additional needs. All parents and carers commit to Voice4Parents on a voluntary basis. Our aim is to improve and shape future services for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) by working in co-production with service providers across education, health and social care. 

We do this by representing the views of the wider group of parents and carers. We are part of the regional and National Network of Parent Carer.

What is the key purpose of your service?

We aim to ensure the views of parents and carers are considered and valued to improve and shape future service provision across education, health and social care services within the local area.

We do this by;

  • gathering parents and carers views in a variety of ways
  • highlighting common issues
  • working in co-production (as equal partners) with key SEND leads and head of services
  • finding out about service developments and national policy and how they affect families
  • responding to consultations

What are your key outcomes for families?

  • That parents and carers have their voices heard
  • That parents and carers views are represented at a regional and national level
  • That parents and carers are well informed about the services available in the local area and how local and national issues may impact upon them
  • That parents and carers have the opportunity to participate in the strategic planning of services
  • That decision are made in co-production with parents and carers
  • Improved quality of service provision that meets the needs of children, young people and their families
  • That parent participation remains high on the agenda in Wolverhampton

What are the typical activities that you do?

• Attend monthly steering group meetings
• Attend strategic meetings in relation to special educational needs and disability
• Attend regional Parent and Carer Forum network meetings
• Consult with the wider group of parents in a variety of ways
• Respond to consultations on service development and local and national policies
• Co-produce new working policies and practices
• Sign post parents and carers to service that are available

Does your service relate to any particular legislation?

The Children and Families Act 2014 and the Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice, outline the requirement for parent participation.  The strategic involvement of parents and carers in developing services is no longer a good practice way of working, it is a legal requirement.

Are there any differences in your offer in different parts of Wolverhampton?

No

Is your service city wide?

Yes, Voice4Parents is a parent carer forum that aims to seek the views of parents and carers of children and young people with additional needs across Wolverhampton. Our steering group members all live in Wolverhampton and use services in Wolverhampton.

Who are your users?

Parents and carers of children and young people with special eductaional needs and/or disabilities.

What age range do you cover?

Parents and carers of children and young people aged 0-25 years.

What are the eligibility criteria to use your service?

If your child has additional needs, parents and carers can contact Voice4Parents and find out how they can be involved.

How are decisions made about who can use your service?

Any parent or carer can access Voice4Parents. There are a number of different ways parents and carers can get involved from sharing views and experiences and attending our events or focus group meetings or going a step further and expressing an interest to become a steering group member. 

Voice4Parents has an agreed process on how to become a steering group member should a vacancy arise within the forum.

How can I start using the service?

Here you will find the Voice 4 Parents Membership Form which you need to complete. You can also like and follow the Voice4Parents Facebook page where you can comment on our posts, respond to polls and questions asked.

What is the referral process?

You can become a wider group member by registering with Voice4Parents. The website provides information about the forum along with the opportunityto  have your say on services you access. 

Is there a charge for the service and if so, what?

There is no charge to become a steering group member or by registering to become a wider group member of Voice4Parents.

Can I use my personal budget to pay?

Not applicable

Is there a waiting list and if so, how long is it?

Anyone can register with Voice4Parents, via the website and/or on Facebook, to start receiving or accessing information and hearing about the ways to participate.  Anyone wishing to join the Steering Group may need to wait until a vacancy arises.

How do you communicate with service users and how are they involved in decision making/planning?

By registering with Voioce4Parents, you will automatically receive emails about the current work Voice4Parents are involved in along with invites to coffee mornings, events and to have the opportunity to have your say via Voice4Parents' annual survey or on the website by completing the feedback form. Voice4Parents use Facebook to keep their service users updated and to gather feedback from parents and carers. 

How can parents/carers share their view about services?

  • By attending monthly steering group meetings
  • Via the Voice4Parents Facebook page
  • Via email to our wider group members
  • On-line surveys
  • Feedback submitted on Wolverhampton’s Local Offer for SEND
  • Parent information events and workshops
  • Attending community events
  • Other consultation events or focus group meetings

How do you communicate with users whose first language is not English?

Voice4Parents aims for its steering group membership to represent a wide range of our diverse communities within Wolverhampton. 

How accessible is your service?

We ensure where possible, that any additional needs or requirements of parents and carers are met to enable them to attend meetings and events.

What skills and training do staff have in relation to SEN and disability?

Parents and carers are often referred to as the ‘experts’ around their own child’s additional needs and therefore bring a wealth of expertise and experience that influence and steer the work of the forum and their strategic role in engaging with professionals. Steering group members have been fully engaged in all aspects of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Reforms and with the implementation of new working practices in Wolverhampton.

Who is my first point of contact if I have questions or need further information?

Please email Voice4Parents at admin@voice4parents.co.uk and the Chair or administrator will get in touch with you.  You can also speak to a member of the Voice4Parents Steering group directly at events, coffee mornings and consultations

How do I give a compliment or make a complaint about your service?

By email admin@voice4parents.co.uk

How is your service monitored and reviewed?

Voice4Parents receive a parent participation grant each year from the government. As part of the monitoring process, Voice4Parents is required to produce a financial activity report that details how it intends to spend the grant to achieve outputs and outcomes.

 

Who to contact

Contact Name
Sarah Baker
Contact Position
Chair
E-mail
admin@voice4parents.co.uk
Website
Voice 4 Parents

Where to go

Notes

Voice4Parents is run by parents and carers for parents and carers in Wolverhampton, it does not have an office as steering group members work from home and attend meetings held by the local authority, and other services for SEND at their venues.

Time / Date Details

When is it on
Voice4Parents works within term time and school hours to ensure the work we are involved in fits around our families.

Other Details

Availability

Referral required
No

Record Last Updated on: 25/01/2024

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