A LOCAL woman who is a mother to two complex special educational need sons is behind Ross-on-Wye’s Parent Carer Forum.

A Parent Carer Forum is a group of parents and carers of children with additional needs and disabilities.

Helen Young explained that everyone who works or volunteers with a parent carer forum is also a parent or carer of a child or young person with special educational needs and disabilities.

Helen is also the local representative for the Ross-on-Wye Parent Carer Voice (PCV) Cuppa and Chat meet up and said: “While It sounds rather formal, however it's very relaxed and comfortable.

“What it basically is, is parent carers getting together for a cuppa and chat. It's a chance to meet other parent carers and at the same time talk openly about anything with people who understand our special educational needs family life. “Come along today, Wednesday, March 25 between 12.30pm and 2.30pm at the Ryefield Centre, next to the Larruperz Centre in Ross.

Other future events are planned to be held monthly and the organisers urge families to take advantage of this brilliant opportunity to actually meet other parent carers face to face. There is always at least one Parent Carer representative at any meet up.

Parent Carer Forums aim to ensure the services in their area meet the needs and improve outcomes of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and their families.

Helen added: “As part of Parent Carer Voice Herefordshire, we work with (not for) local authorities, health commissioning bodies and social care to represent parent views and experiences to influence and inform the provision and services used by our children, young people and their families.

“Co-production is when parent carers play an integral and equal part in the decision-making process and are fully engaged in shaping, developing, implementing and evaluating services and systems.

Parent Carer Voice is run by parent carer volunteers and is a nationwide initiative. The representatives will feed back information which will always stay anonymous to give parent carers a voice.

“The point of this basically is to establish what is going on in the real daily life we live,” Helen confirmed.

“Another point to it is to have the opportunity to ask questions. If the representative doesn't know the answer they will find out for you. It is also great to meet other parent carers and not feel so alone.

“The best way to find out about the meet ups is by being a parent carer voice member and joining their private group.

Over the years it has been established that it is important that parent carers and SEND practitioners should have access to information and support to help them navigate the various systems.

The accessible information and support helps parent carers to get involved in decision making both at an individual and strategic level, ensuring that families and practitioners have a shared understanding and expectation of how the special educational needs and disabilities system works, helps build positive relationships and delivers better outcomes for everyone.