SEFTON PARENT PARTNERSHIP

Offering independent support for families of children with special educational needs.

Parent Partnership Services

The Special Educational Needs Code of Practice (2001) states that all Local Authorities MUST make arrangements for a Parent Partnership Service, and outlines minimum standards for each service including:

  • The provision of a flexible range of services.
  • Practical support for parents to help them in discussions with schools, Local Authorities and other agencies.
  • The provision of accurate, neutral information on rights, roles and responsibilities within the Special Educational Needs (SEN) process.
  • To work with schools, Local Authority officers and other agencies to help them develop positive relationships with parents.
  • Ensuring that parents have access to trained Independent Parental Supporters. 
  • Ensuring that advice on SEN policy and procedure is made available to parents through information, support and training.
  • Where appropriate, and in conjunction with their parents, the ascertainable views and wishes of the child are sought and taken into consideration.

Sefton Parent Partnership Service supports parents in the following ways:

  • Offering independent, confidential and impartial advice.
  • Support in finding your way through the 'maze' of information and procedures surrounding the SEN Code of Practice, statutory guidance on admissions and exclusions and Disability Discrimination Legislation.
  • Explaining the Graduated response (school action and school action plus).
  • Acting as a link/ mediator where relationships between parents and their child's school or Local authority have broken down.
  • Assisting parents with form-filling and preparation of their parental representations for Statutory Assessment.
  • Accompanying parents to meetings, reviews or case conferences.
  • Arranging visits to prospective schools and accompanying parents on such visits if required.
  • Offering Parents the opportunity to enhance their skills and knowledge through training (see 'Dates for your Diary page).
  • Home visits - a listening ear in the comfort of your own home. 
  • Informing parents of other avenues of support.
  • Loan of information books, videos and leaflets.
  • Direct referral to the Greater Merseyside mediation Service. 

Sefton parent partnership follows strict Impariality and confidentiality policies. To read the Impartiality policy or our confidentiality policy please click the relevant link

If you require assistance with any aspect of your child's Special Educational Needs please Contact us on:

 0151- 291-0551

or fill in our online web referral form by  clicking here.

We are Located here 



Extra payment for disabled children

From April 2009, if your child receives Disability Living Allowance, your child will be entitled to an annual payment of £100, with severely disabled children receiving £200. These payments will be paid directly into the CTF account from April 2010 (in respect of the previous year).

This further payment recognises that disabled children are likely to have higher financial needs when they make the transition to adulthood.

 

To qualify for a voucher you have to be claiming Child Benefit for your child. If you haven't received a voucher within a month of starting to claim Child Benefit call the CTF helpline on 0845 302 1470 (8.00am to 8.00pm).

If you don't open a CTF account within 12 months of the date shown on the voucher, the government will open a CTF account for your child.