Parent Forum
MINUTES
OF THE MEETING HELD ON
14th March 2008 at Greenbank
14th March 2008 at Greenbank
Present : Julie Sweeting
(Chair) Elaine Stoneman Andrew robinson
Minutes: Ruth Rayner Pat Aynsley Sonja Moore
Rowena Martin Elissa Slater Jean Coombs
1. Apologies : Geoff Lewis,
2. Introductions: Parents present introduced themselves.
3. Minutes of Last Meeting: Minutes were discussed and aggreed.
4. Matters Arising:
AEN Training Programme:
Discussed Accrediting the Parent Delivered Training Course.
It was agreed
- getting acourse accredited took a long time and was quite an ardous process.
We want to get our couse up and running as soon as possible
- Workforce Development would help to identify a consultant who would provide guidance on the principles of putting course together.
- In the meantime we would continue towork on identifying the best route to accreditation.
Specialist Training Outside providers who had been involved in training mentors are
willing to come over to initial meeting. The cost is £425 per day.
We need to know who they are.
Issues of consistency, and quality need to be taken into account when commissioning
outside providers when there are people in house who can provide training.
JS & JC to scope in house providers and their availability.
Parents to identify their training needs.
Long term aims
- ensure training for parent trainers
- Launch parents training programme
- include parent training programme in INSET and publish widely
- continue to exlore route to accreditation
- Parent Forum to monitor and promote the development of the programme
Action by : JS and JC
COMPLAINTS
The local agreement with regard to dealing with complaints about schools is felt by
parents to be frustrating to parents who sometimes feel intimidated by schools.
JES to meet with LA complaints Officer to seek further clarification.
Geoff Lewis - Parent Partnership identified as the ideal person to assist with this.
Recommendation
- small group set up to clarify issues
- schools to refer to basic details of the way in which parents can express concerns and
give assurance they need to know when parents are concerned and that they and
their children will not be discriminated against should they voice their concerns
- also details of people who can help them ought to be in the school prospectus,
perhaps a nominated governor or member of staff as well as giving Geoff Lewis's
details.
JES explained that she was in discussion with the health and safety department
following concerns that had been raised by teachers' unions that increasing numbers
of staff were being injured in the course of their work with pupils whose behaviour
is perceived to be challenging.
The H&S officers are working to ensure staff are appropriately supported and
skilled to support all children and young people in school.
5. Showcase:
Discussed 'short breaks' Parents identified the need for help with routine day to day
activities 'an extra pare of hands' with routine things like going to the park, feeding a
child with complex needs, or keeping appointments as well or instead of more
traditional needs for resppite that involve the child having overnight stay in centre.
The possibility of developing a family and community befriending service (Localality
partnerships and fully extended schools ought to address this need)
Parental concerns expressed.
Parents concerned that they do not know hwo people are and where they are or
what they represent e.g. Education Psychologist, Speech and Language ,
Kingfisher, Home & Hospital, Newbridge.
Needs to be made more transparent to people.
Outcome: "Meet the Family Book"
To be launched at the showcase
Need to show a "family tree" and represent exactly who and where these people are
e.g. speech and language therapist work for the National Health Service.
Need totality of integrated services who work with children and young people.
Next meeting need Representatives from schools to explain the role of the SENco.
JS to ask Justin to co-ordinate it.
6. Children's Trust
Lengthy discussion about Children's Trust. JS explained the different groups
involved. There are 7 partnerships but there may be fewer in the future as
roles and functions become clearer. All partnerships relevant to parents.
7. Parent Partnership
JS explained Geoff Lewis's role in the Oldham Parent Partnership Service and how
important he was to the Authority. Geoff is hoping to attend the next meeting of the
Parent Forum. JS to ask Geoff Lewis to the next meeting.
8. Courses:
Leaflet on courses available passed round for parents to take details.
JS bought a book entitled "Special Educatinal Needs North in Manchester Central.
This course is being held on the 18/19th April at G Mex in Manchester.
JS hoping to bring in further journals for parents to look through.
Discussed putting magazine to send out to parents.
Both Kingfisher and Newbridge have libraries for parents of children with disabilities
and support for learning book should be in there.
FDK, Aspace and Osca's Libraries have amalgamated and are kept at the Resource
Room at Rock Street Centre, Rock Street. Oldham. If a parent wishes to borrow
a book they need to leave their name, address and contact number with one of those
groups.
NQT Training
Secondary High Schools will be at Newbridge School on 20th June 2008.
3 parents have volunteered to contribute:
* Parent 1 - preparing for transition into school.
* Parent 2 - is going to talk about what she would have liked her son's mainstream
school to have known about him.
* Parent 3 - Choice of school - information parents need about theri child's progress.
The day
* 36 newly qualified staff will be split into groups of 12
- overview of disability and supporting children effectively in school.
* there is also to be a presentation from young people on what would have made
the defference to them when they start school.
Parent Trainers will be paid a fee for them or their organisation and travelling expenses
will be reimbersed.
Train the trainers - Julie to contact Organisation and Development.
The AEN Training programme will be presented at the Showcase with a particular
feature on the Parent Training Programme.
AEN REVIEW:
Ann Redmond and Graham Quinn have spoken to everyone on AEN Services. They are asking to speak to parents as well.
Parents Concerns:
Lenghty discussion with parents who had concerns and issues. These were addressed
by those present.
AOB:
Julie thanked everyone for attending.
Date of next meeting:
Monday 28th April
Time 10am - 12.00 noon
Venue: the Link Centre, 140 Union Street, Oldham
Minutes: Ruth Rayner Pat Aynsley Sonja Moore
Rowena Martin Elissa Slater Jean Coombs
1. Apologies : Geoff Lewis,
2. Introductions: Parents present introduced themselves.
3. Minutes of Last Meeting: Minutes were discussed and aggreed.
4. Matters Arising:
AEN Training Programme:
Discussed Accrediting the Parent Delivered Training Course.
It was agreed
- getting acourse accredited took a long time and was quite an ardous process.
We want to get our couse up and running as soon as possible
- Workforce Development would help to identify a consultant who would provide guidance on the principles of putting course together.
- In the meantime we would continue towork on identifying the best route to accreditation.
Specialist Training Outside providers who had been involved in training mentors are
willing to come over to initial meeting. The cost is £425 per day.
We need to know who they are.
Issues of consistency, and quality need to be taken into account when commissioning
outside providers when there are people in house who can provide training.
JS & JC to scope in house providers and their availability.
Parents to identify their training needs.
Long term aims
- ensure training for parent trainers
- Launch parents training programme
- include parent training programme in INSET and publish widely
- continue to exlore route to accreditation
- Parent Forum to monitor and promote the development of the programme
Action by : JS and JC
COMPLAINTS
The local agreement with regard to dealing with complaints about schools is felt by
parents to be frustrating to parents who sometimes feel intimidated by schools.
JES to meet with LA complaints Officer to seek further clarification.
Geoff Lewis - Parent Partnership identified as the ideal person to assist with this.
Recommendation
- small group set up to clarify issues
- schools to refer to basic details of the way in which parents can express concerns and
give assurance they need to know when parents are concerned and that they and
their children will not be discriminated against should they voice their concerns
- also details of people who can help them ought to be in the school prospectus,
perhaps a nominated governor or member of staff as well as giving Geoff Lewis's
details.
JES explained that she was in discussion with the health and safety department
following concerns that had been raised by teachers' unions that increasing numbers
of staff were being injured in the course of their work with pupils whose behaviour
is perceived to be challenging.
The H&S officers are working to ensure staff are appropriately supported and
skilled to support all children and young people in school.
5. Showcase:
Discussed 'short breaks' Parents identified the need for help with routine day to day
activities 'an extra pare of hands' with routine things like going to the park, feeding a
child with complex needs, or keeping appointments as well or instead of more
traditional needs for resppite that involve the child having overnight stay in centre.
The possibility of developing a family and community befriending service (Localality
partnerships and fully extended schools ought to address this need)
Parental concerns expressed.
Parents concerned that they do not know hwo people are and where they are or
what they represent e.g. Education Psychologist, Speech and Language ,
Kingfisher, Home & Hospital, Newbridge.
Needs to be made more transparent to people.
Outcome: "Meet the Family Book"
To be launched at the showcase
Need to show a "family tree" and represent exactly who and where these people are
e.g. speech and language therapist work for the National Health Service.
Need totality of integrated services who work with children and young people.
Next meeting need Representatives from schools to explain the role of the SENco.
JS to ask Justin to co-ordinate it.
6. Children's Trust
Lengthy discussion about Children's Trust. JS explained the different groups
involved. There are 7 partnerships but there may be fewer in the future as
roles and functions become clearer. All partnerships relevant to parents.
7. Parent Partnership
JS explained Geoff Lewis's role in the Oldham Parent Partnership Service and how
important he was to the Authority. Geoff is hoping to attend the next meeting of the
Parent Forum. JS to ask Geoff Lewis to the next meeting.
8. Courses:
Leaflet on courses available passed round for parents to take details.
JS bought a book entitled "Special Educatinal Needs North in Manchester Central.
This course is being held on the 18/19th April at G Mex in Manchester.
JS hoping to bring in further journals for parents to look through.
Discussed putting magazine to send out to parents.
Both Kingfisher and Newbridge have libraries for parents of children with disabilities
and support for learning book should be in there.
FDK, Aspace and Osca's Libraries have amalgamated and are kept at the Resource
Room at Rock Street Centre, Rock Street. Oldham. If a parent wishes to borrow
a book they need to leave their name, address and contact number with one of those
groups.
NQT Training
Secondary High Schools will be at Newbridge School on 20th June 2008.
3 parents have volunteered to contribute:
* Parent 1 - preparing for transition into school.
* Parent 2 - is going to talk about what she would have liked her son's mainstream
school to have known about him.
* Parent 3 - Choice of school - information parents need about theri child's progress.
The day
* 36 newly qualified staff will be split into groups of 12
- overview of disability and supporting children effectively in school.
* there is also to be a presentation from young people on what would have made
the defference to them when they start school.
Parent Trainers will be paid a fee for them or their organisation and travelling expenses
will be reimbersed.
Train the trainers - Julie to contact Organisation and Development.
The AEN Training programme will be presented at the Showcase with a particular
feature on the Parent Training Programme.
AEN REVIEW:
Ann Redmond and Graham Quinn have spoken to everyone on AEN Services. They are asking to speak to parents as well.
Parents Concerns:
Lenghty discussion with parents who had concerns and issues. These were addressed
by those present.
AOB:
Julie thanked everyone for attending.
Date of next meeting:
Monday 28th April
Time 10am - 12.00 noon
Venue: the Link Centre, 140 Union Street, Oldham
