brent parent
Wembley
Our regular coffee mornings and evening meetings are informal and relaxed. We
often invite guest speakers from education, health and early years to talk to
parents about local SEND services and answer their questions. Even if a
particular guest speaker does not interest you, there is always time for a chat
and a hot drink at every meeting. Children are also welcome to attend. There is
no pressure to come regularly or even stay for the whole session as we know that
your free time can be limited and unpredictable. Events We run workshops and
training events for parents on a wide range of SEND-related issues. As well as
gaining expertise and insight, you will be supported by other parent carer
trainers who may have lived through the stage of your ‘journey’ and who will
have knowledge and information to share with you that could be really
beneficial. We also organise information days which give parents, carers and
young people the chance to meet local services and providers. Partnership
working We work closely with Brent Council, health providers, schools and other
organisations to help design and deliver local services that meet the needs of
children and young people with SEND. We regularly attend their meetings and
committees to feedback the views and experiences of our members. Parent carers
can help to highlight problems that are frequently experienced by families of
children with additional needs, and this knowledge is useful to help
professionals make informed choices about local services. Evidence shows that
this sort of active participation leads to improved service provision, take up
and ultimately better outcomes for children and young people with SEND. WHO WE
ARE The forum is an independent, parent-led organisation that helps bring
together parents and carers of children and young people aged 0-25 with special
educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Brent. We help and support families
of children with SEND by providing information, advice and a listening ear. By
gathering ideas and feedback from our members, we also work closely with local
organisations to positively improve the planning and delivery of services in
Brent for children and young people with additional needs and disabilities. Set
up in 2017, our forum is run by a friendly group of volunteers who are all
parent carers and understand the issues and challenges that looking after a
child with SEND can bring.
