Parent Participation

What is Aiming High for Disabled Children?
Aiming High for Disabled Children is the Government transformation programme for disabled children's services in England. The vision behind the programme is for "all families with disabled children to have the support they need to live ordinary family lives, as a mater of course." (DCSF/DoH 2008).

Parent Participation is key to the delivery of the Aiming High for Disabled Children programme.

Aiming High for Disabled Children

In 2007, the ‘Aiming High for Disabled Children' (AHDC) report set out government's commitment to improve services for disabled children and their families.

It announced additional funding for improving:
• the provision of short breaks
• provision of child care for parents of disabled children
• improving support at transition from children to adult services
• support for children with life-limiting conditions through an integrated children's palliative care strategy
• Parents' ability to get involved in shaping the services available for their disabled children.

Greater priority for disabled children
As well as additional money AHDC has placed a much higher priority on the provision of services for disabled children in local areas.

For more information download the Parent Participation document from Together for Disabled Children - Download

Northumberland Parent, Carer and Professional Forum

What is the Parent, Carer and Professional Forum?

It is a forum where parents, carers and professionals from statutory and voluntary organisations will work together as equal partners to bring about positive changes for families who have children with special needs.

The Forum provides a non-confrontational setting for these partners to discuss and explore special needs issues and mutual areas of concern. Issues raised at the Forum are directly related to special needs issues, policies and practices rather than individual cases.

The Forum will provide an opportunity for parents and carers to inform and influence the planning and delivery of services that impact on children and young people with special needs and their families.

There are 3 Forum meetings each year - one meeting in each school term. Each Forum meeting will be preceded by 4 locality meetings to ensure countywide representation. These are held in north, west and South East and central Northumberland approximately one month in advance of the Forum, venues change to ensure that parents in rural Northumberland have the opportunity to attend.

Three representatives from each locality will attend the Forum meetings which will aim for a minimum of 50% parent and carer membership.

The forum has terms of reference which you can read by clicking on the link , as well as the minutes from the last meeting below.

All Forum meetings will be organised, facilitated by representatives from IN-PACT (Information Northumberland - Parents and Carers Together) which is an Action for Children service offering support and information to parents and carers of disabled children and young people who live in Northumberland.

Parents and carers will be reimbursed for any travel and childcare expenses incurred. To find out more contact;IN-PACT on 01670 857816. email In-Pact@actionforchildren.org.uk