Service Operational Protocols
The service operates to minimum standards as set out in the Code of Practice and Guidance documents to the SEN and Disability Act 2001.
Any reference to 'parents' is also intended to have equal reference to carers and any others who have parental responsibility for a child. The word 'client' also refers to parent(s).
Service Aims
The service is to provide independent parental support and enable parents of children with special educational needs to become effective partners in the identification and assessment of their childs special educational needs (SEN) and the provision to meet those needs in school. The service promotes effective working partnerships between parents and schools, the Local Authority (LA), voluntary organisations, local and national charities, health and social services.
(Code of Practice - SEN & Disability Act 2001)
Principles and Values
The service operates to the following set of principles and values:
- Impartiality
- Equality
- Confidentiality
- Independence
Impartiality
The role of the service is to enable the parents to become effective partners in their child's education through the service providing impartial information, that leaves the parents with greater choice and possibly more options than they may have been aware of.
The service cannot act in isolation 'on behalf of' parents, for example in the way a solicitor would. The service supports parents in reaching informed decisions and does not make decisions on their behalf. When the service takes any action it is in order to determine and clarify facts in order to better inform the parents about their child's educational needs. The intention is to provide parents with more informed opportunities, choices and options in relation to their child's education.
Offering parents alternative ways of resolving difficulties and choices of how to make progress as well as further opportunities through the provision of information, help and support comes after seeking to understand the parents perspective of their concerns about their child.
It is not the role of the service to give direct advice concerning an individual child but to remain impartial in respect to the information, help and support it provides.
The service will not act as an advocate for parents or become directly involved in complaints procedures but will provide information about correct complaints procedures and protocols involved
Equality
Oldham Parent Partnership Service works in accordance with the principles of Guidance and Counselling practice and embraces non-judgemental positive regard for clients. This practice ensures that issues such as client confidentiality and respect of the individual are of high regard.
The service operates an open access policy, and provides parents with opportunities of direct contact with the service through self referral.
These are shown in the flow chart that appears on the following pages.
Only in very exceptional circumstances will the service consider making a 'cold' call to a family and in such circumstances will only seek to inform the family of the availability of the service.
Confidentiality
Client confidentiality is of paramount importance to the function and operation of the Parent Partnership Service.
- The service is established on a trust basis and any breaches of confidentiality would compromise this protocol.
- An independence of operation from the funding authority must be generated and confidentiality for clients is a fundamental core condition of the service.
- Confidentiality is between the client and the Parent Partnership Service
- Any records made and notes taken remain in total confidence to the client and the Parent Partnership Service.
- Client confidentiality will not be maintained in any circumstances where there are legal reasons for not doing so, ie. child protection
Independence
The service is funded by Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council and is operated through the Children, Young People and Families Directorate, in consultation with service users and user groups.
The most important underpinning principles are:
- the service is operationally independent of the funding authority as far as is practical
- the information provided by the service is impartial and independent . It is factual and appropriate.
- those working with parents on behalf of the service do so in a non-directive, non-judgemental way. They do so to ensure due process is followed.
- information and help is provided honestly and in good faith.
- the service will provide parents with alternative sources of independent information and/or independent parental support via other organisations, voluntary groups and charities as appropriate.