Welcome

To the

Aiming High for Disabled Children

(AHDC)

Plymouth Parent Reference Group web pages!

Our Parent Reference group provides a structure to enable a wide range of parents of children with disabilities to be involved in the planning, monitoring, and evaluation of services that relate to and include the Children’s Integrated Disability Service.

Parents are the experts on their families needs and parental involvement in all aspects of the child/young person’s life has a significant impact on the outcomes for those children/young people. Through this group we aim to provide an environment that welcomes and acknowledges this important role and give parents the opportunity to share their knowledge and expertise, to ask questions and find out answers. Your views and experiences can make a positive contribution to the way services are provided for all our children but with particular regard to those who have additional needs.

(Throughout this web page the term parent includes all those people who are bringing up children, to include, Grandparents, foster carers and extended family members).

Parent Reference Group, what is it?

The Parent Reference Group consists of a number of parents who have children/young people with a wide range of additional needs/disabilities who attend a range of provision. Many of the parents who attend the group have links to other support networks across the city and can represent a wider range of parent's views

What does it do?

We are here to provide a time and place with both a structure and format which enables parents to convey their views. The group is pro-active and involves parents in the planning and design of services in order that they are relevant and child focused. It is also a tool for parents to ensure that their voices are heard. Requests come to the Reference Group for parent’s views and involvement from the Local Authority and Health.

We provide feedback to and from a wide range of parents groups across the city to ensure widespread involvement. The group also provides a mechanism for involving parents that should minimize the need for individual parents to attend frequent meetings.

Who is involved?

Initially the involvement is centered around the immediate group of parents attending the meetings who are caring for children with a very wide range of difficulties and often with complex or multiple needs. They have a great deal of knowledge and expertise that are able to share and regular feedback to a wider audience is provided through the Parent and Family Forum. This then enables a wider group of parents, and parent representatives to become more aware of current issues that impact on children with additional needs/disabilities.

When and where does it happen?

The group meets on the last Wednesday of each month (except in the school holidays). Currently these meetings are held at Catherine Street at Midday to 2pm. We are also very pleased to offer our members a video conferencing option which can be used by parents who may not be able to physically attend sessions, we understand that it can be difficult to get to meetings for a variety of reasons therefore video conferencing gives parents the chance to participate in meetings without even needing to be in the room. We are also looking into linking in with other parent groups across the city and possibly nationwide using this exciting new communication tool.

Forward from video conferencing, in May 2010 we were very pleased to unveil our new SMS texting service, parents can opt to provide their mobile number and receive reminder text messages of upcoming meetings this allows parents on the move to receive timely reminders of meetings and possible last minute changes. The service also allows parents to text back and communicate with us in a way that best suits them. We also provide email and telephone options for reminders and group information.

How can I become involved?

There are many ways of becoming part of this group.

• Contacting Plymouth Parent Partnership on 01752 258933
• By email to - emma.goode@plymouth.gov.uk
• Attending the Parent and Family Forum
• Talking to the PSA at your child's school.

Who actually listens?

The group is able to act as a reference point for commissioners, service planners and providers, for monitoring and service design from a parent’s perspective. This group actively enables parents to contribute to the evaluation of services which is an invaluable tool for developing the right provision for all children.

! Questions from the Parent and Family forum on the 24th November are now available with answers click here to go to the webpage !

To view the full meeting notes from our previous AHDC meetings please see below -