Qualification of the Service and Notes of clarification

  1. The service provides free information and help to any one who requests it. Assistance and support is however restricted to:
    1. Support the parents of children who reside within the Oldham Council area of Greater Manchester.
    2. Children between 2 and 19 years old and are felt to have difficulties or special needs that will impact on their educational attainment.
  2. The service does not act as the parents advocate, representative or agent. The service can however assist parents in a number of different ways. This can for example be by helping (with parental permission), to determine and clarify points of fact concerning the child with the school, local authority or any others who have had an involvement with the child.
  3. As the service has, as part of its objectives, the promotion of disagreement resolution, it will not become directly involved in issues or matters which constitute complaint proceedings.
  4. The service will provide information to parents about complaints procedures, how to engage in those procedures and will provide details of other appropriate sources of support if available.
  5. If parents decide to initiate complaint or Special Educational Needs and disability Appeals proceedings, the Parent Partnership Service will continue to support parents in respect to the child’s special educational needs if requested.
  6. All information given to the Parent Partnership Service is on a voluntary basis.
  7. Information provided by clients is recorded on a restricted access and secure computer database and when necessary in paper files with parental knowledge. Computer held records conform to the requirements of the Data Protection Act.
  8. Information provided by parents shall only be used in connection with the aims and objectives of the Parent Partnership Service and shall not be used for any other purpose without the prior knowledge and express and specific permission of the client.
  9. The information from parents is used to assess their needs and howthose needs can be best addressed following discussion with the client.
  10. Whenever possible, the Parent Partnership Service will seek to withdraw from having involvement with a case at the earliest opportunity, the parents will always be re-assured of their ability to re-contact the service forfurther help and advice.
  11. There are no minimum or maximum time limits for client involvement with the service.