Parent Carer Forums are part of the SEND code of practice 2015 which states “Parent Carer Forums are representative local groups of parents and carers of children and young people with disabilities who work alongside local authorities, education, health and other service providers to ensure the services they plan, commission, deliver and monitor meet the needs of children and families”.
- ‘Parents’ or ‘parent carers’ is an inclusive term which encompasses parents, grandparents, foster parents, adoptive parents or anyone with parental responsibility caring for a disabled child.
- ‘Disabled children’ is an inclusive term which encompasses children and young people with a disability, long term health condition and children with additional or special educational needs.
VAST is facilitating the development of the Stoke Parent Carer Forum. We, along with Stoke on Trent City Council colleagues, are keen to see a successful forum established locally and we shall be working with regional and national organisations Contact a Family and NNPCF (National Network of Parent Carer Forums) to help us achieve this.
Any parent carer of a child aged 0-25 years with a disability or additional needs, residing in Stoke on Trent can become a member.
Our Steering Group is formed with local organisations who understand the needs and can represent parents and carers.
If you are an organisation, a parent or carer who would like to become a member of the forum and be kept informed of news, events and ways to get involved please get in touch for more information.