Professional Support:
Unavoidably, there may be times when parents find themselves confused about SEN procedures, or when there are disagreements between parents and the LEA. To help prevent difficulties from developing into formal disagreements, various forms of professional support are available to parents of children with SEN.
Independent Parental Supporters (IPS):
An Independent Parental Supporter (IPS) is someone who volunteers to provide support to parents of children with special educational needs. The South Tyneside Parent Partnership Service offers parents/carers the opportunity to receive confidential support and information from a fully trained IPS.
What is the role of the Independent Parental Supporter?
- To listen to parents and help them express their views.
- To help parents make sense of the paper mountain
- To attend meetings with parents (Annual reviews and meetings with school or the LEA)
- To help parents explore the options open to them for their Child’s education.
- To help them negotiate with schools or the LEA
- To provide parents with information on their rights and responsibilities, on special needs issues and on local procedures and policies.
- To help parents read and understand proposed Statements.
IPS volunteers can be parents, teachers or representatives from voluntary organisations, who are independent of the LEA and decision-makers.
If you would like to receive support from an IPS, would like to train as an IPS; or require any information from the Parent Partnership Officer please call (0191) 424 7712.