Supportive Parents - Who we are, what we do

We are a parent-led organisation providing information and support to parents in Bristol, North Somerset and South Goucestershire whose children have any kind of special education need from pre-school to age 19 years. We welcome parents as members but they do not have to be members to access our service.

The Code of Practice 2001 requires Local Authorities to provide a Parent Partnership Service for parents and this is funded by the three unitary authorities.

Our aims

to work towards ensuring children with special educational needs have equal educational opportunities
to enable parents of children with special educational needs to support each other
to provide parents with information
to voice the views of parents and raise awareness of special educational needs
to encourage parents and professionals to work more closely together in the interests of the children
to work with other voluntary groups to benefit our children

What we do

Listen to parents concerns - Discussing a situation with another supportive parent can often help

Help parents find appropriate information - We hold national and local information on education policy and procedures. We know whom to contact in your Local Education Authority (LEA). We have information on education and special needs relating to specific disabilities and can put parents in touch with local and national support groups.

Help parents to prepare for meetings with the school or LEA - This could be identifying th epurpose of the meeting, what happens next and what the parents and professionals want to achieve as a result of the meeting.

Help parents decide what questions to ask - Understanding who does what, who makes what decision, what happens next. Explaining how children's needs are assessed and appropriate provision made using the COde of Practice.

Help parents write their contribution about their child's needs - This could be for Individual Education Plans (IEPs), interim or Annual Review of statement, Transition Review for child with statement, or a parental contribution for a statutory assessment. See our Frequently Asked Questions Page for more on what these terms mean.

What we don't do

Accept referrals - from anyone other than parents, i.e. professionals, voluntary organisations or other individuals, including relatives.

Contact education staff on behalf of parents - Our aim is to enable parents to do this themselves.

Provide expert opinions - We can refer parents to organisations who can do this or provide professional reports, assessments or legal advice.

Represent parents - We can help parents prepare their case e.g. at tribunals and signpost them to organisations who provide representation.

Accept or hold reports from professionals - Although parents may choose to share these with us, they are for them to retain. We do not look to receive or hold minutes of meetings we attend with them.

Work directly with children - but we do emphasise the importance of taking the child's views into account.

Identify or discuss parents and their children - with professionals or other concerned individuals - see our policy on Confidentiality.