Understanding the Role of the Parent Carer Forum

SSIF invite ParentCarers of Children with SEND to their penultimate Seminar this year. ‘Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCP) Annual Reviews,’ is the fifth in a series of valuable and informative events for ParentCarers that will run throughout the year. This seminar is aimed at ParentCarers who have an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) in place for their Child or Young Person but would like to find out more about the Annual Review process. We will aim to answer questions such as: What does an Annual Review entail? Which services are involved? What can I do if my Child or Young Persons Annual Review is delayed? What does the Law say? I have never had an Annual Review, should I have? What is my role and responsibility as a ParentCarer? We have a panel of professionals from the Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) Team, Health and Education, who will talk about the assessment process. They will also bust some common myths. We are inviting ParentCarers to submit any questions they have for the panel by email, by Thursday 1st May 2025, via email, to jody@southendsendindependentforum.org.uk. This is to save time in the room on the day as our speakers will build their presentations around the answers to these questions. There will also be an opportunity for people to participate in a co-production session to develop a useful route map/flow chart of the EHCP Annual Review process. Please Note: Babies, Children and Buggies. For insurance reasons and Health and Safety reasons we apologise but babies, children and buggies cannot be accommodated at these sessions. Parking. There is limited parking available at the main Civic Centre Car Park. Other nearby car parks are available at Civic Centre East Car Park SS2 6LR, and the Beecroft Car Park SS2 6EU. Book your FREE ticket. 

The NNPCF together with other Stakeholders attended a Roundtable meeting this week with Minister McKinnel, the Minister of Education which focused on Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND). The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the ongoing speculation surrounding SEND and Inclusive Education. The Minister shared insights into the government’s direction and engaged with key stakeholders. Read more about the meeting.

SSIF are members of the National Network of Parent Carers (NNPCF). The Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that the government plans to abolish NHS England and bring it into the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), the government believe that this will remove a layer of bureaucracy and will eliminate duplication between DHSE and NHSE. NNPCF have delivered a statement in response to the announcement confirming what work they intend to do to represent the voices of ParentCarers and children and young people with SEND. Read both the press release and the NNPCF statement.