Brent Parent

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.