The Core Activities of Oldham PPS
Minimum standards have been set out by the Department for Education and Skills for Parent Partnership Services to maintain five key areas of core activity. (Code of Practice-SEN & Disability Act 2001)
These are delivered through the following activities
- working with parents
- working with schools, LA and external services
- information and publicity
- training help and support
- networking and collaboration
- helping to inform and influence local policy and practice
Working with parents
- provide a range of flexible services including using their best endeavours to provide access to Independent Parental Support for all parents who request it.
- offer practical support to parents, either individually or in groups, to help them in their discussions with schools, LAs and other statutory agencies.
- provide parents (including all those with parental responsibility for the child) with accurate, neutral information on their rights, roles and responsibilities within the SEN process, and on the wide range of options that are available for their children's education.
- inform parents about other agencies, such as the Primary Care Trust, Children with Disabilities Team and voluntary organisations, which can offer information and advice about their child's particular SEN.
- this may be particularly important at the time the LA issues a proposed statement that, where appropriate and in conjunction with their parents, the ascertainable views and wishes of the child are sought and taken into consideration.
Working with schools, LA and external services
- encourage and support schools to go through the recommended stages of SEN identification & assessment as set out in the DfES Code of Practice (SEN & Disability Act 2001)
- encourage schools to involve and share information with parents at an early stage of the SEN identification and assessment process
- encouraging schools to involve/seek the advice of LA support services and other agencies
- encouraging parents to obtain information, intervention and advice from services outside the LA where appropriate
- assist develop positive relationships and constructive communications between schools the LA, other agencies and parents.
Information and publicity
- provide information about the available services and ensure it is publicised widely in the area using a variety of means.
- provide neutral, accurate information for parents on all SEN procedures as set out in SEN legislation and the SEN Code of Practice.
- provide an interpretation of information published by schools, LAs and other bodies interested in SEN.
- provide parents with access to a wide range of information in community languages and alternative methods of communication.
- provide support to parents who cannot gain access to information through conventional means.
Training, advice and support
- provide details about special educational needs procedures and related issues to parents through the provision of information, support and training sessions.
- use best endeavours to provide access to Independent Parental Supporters to parents on request to help meet the needs of parents in the Oldham area, including arrangements for the provision of appropriate training when required, ensuring that they are kept up to date with all relevant aspects of SEN policy and procedures so they can fulfil their role effectively.
- give training on good communication and relationships with parents to teachers, governors and staff in SEN sections of the LA.
Networking and collaboration
- work with schools, LA officers and other agencies to help them develop positive relationships with parents.
- establish and maintain links with voluntary organisations
- assist and promote the resolution of disagreements and disputes through local practice and provision of information of independent services
Informing local policy and practice
- that parents' views are heard and understood, and inform and influence the development of local SEN policy and practice.
- engage in the regular review of the effectiveness of the service they provide, for instance by seeking feeback from users.