PiT is working on continued parent participation in Hounslow as part of the National Network of Parent Carer Forums. This work follows on from the Aiming High for Disabled Children (AHDC) project. A major outcome of AHDC in Hounslow was the development of specialist play facilities at Redlees Play Centre, in Isleworth. The Hounslow Parents Carers Forum meets on a monthly basis during term time. Our part in the process is to support parent participation with the services that make up Children's Services - education, health and social care. Parents actively participate in the Short Breaks process and the forum is currently focussing on developing stronger links with health trusts through Hounslow LINk and HealthWatch. A .pdf of the current forum leaflet is attached to the foot of this webpage. To contact the Forum Chair, Sahar Dafaa Alla, please contact the PiT office on 020 8994 9602 or parentsintouch@btconnect.com and we will pass on her details. For confirmed meetings have a look at our What's On? page. If you would like to attend you can send an email to parentsintouch@btconnect.com but it is OK to just turn up. The venue for HPCF is Da Spot, just off Hounslow High Street in Balfour Road (opposite Golds Gym), see map below. Bring your little ones - we used to, or child care can be arranged in advance through Hounslow's Short Breaks team on 020 8583 3636 or shortbreaks@hounslow.gov.uk Two major events are occurring in 2011/12: Forum Away Day - What's Next for the Forum? This will be supported by
Business Solutions, a training organisation run by Karen Wooddissee and Anna
Gill who as well as being very experienced trainers are parents to their own
disabled children. They’ve been involved with Aiming High and Short Breaks right
from the start and come with ‘rave reviews’ from other forums. We’re expecting
this to be a lively and informative day where we explore where we go next in
Hounslow and come away with a plan for the next couple of years. If you’ve never been to
a forum before, had to drop out, or even if you are a regular, this really is
the one event to attend this year. If you are a parent or carer of a disabled
child (aged up to 25 if there are learning difficulties) and live in Hounslow,
we need to hear from you. We promise that we will take what you say and develop
the forum with those views in mind. The SEND Green Paper is
going through parliament currently and it is littered with duties for
institutions such as local authorities and health trusts to seek the views of
parents and carers. We need to have a strong and united voice when speaking to
service designers, commissioners and providers; that’s what we’ll have at the
end of this day. The date for the
away day is Monday, 27th February 2012 between 10am and 2.30pm at a central
venue yet to be decided (we’re hoping for a Children’s Centre). Refreshments
will be served and pre-booked childcare can be provided. A booking form will be
available shortly, but please save the date now! IPSEA Training –
free to forum members Similarly at the request
of many parents we’ve secured IPSEA for a day of parent training on all matters
relating to Special Educational Needs. IPSEA is renowned for its work guiding
parents clearly and precisely through the educational maze. The day is designed to
introduce parents to the basic framework of SEN Law so they can feel confident
in supporting their child through the educational system.
It is designed to
empower parents and carers to know and ask the questions that ensure that their
child is getting the right support in school to progress and reach their own
potential. This will be held
on Thursday, 22nd March 2012 between 10am and 2.30pm at the Green Room near the
Paul Robeson Theatre on the first floor in Hounslow’s Treaty Centre (near the
library). Please contact Joy Wilson at the PiT office on 020 8994 9602 or
office.pitchiswick@gmail.com to book your place.
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