Why National Participation Matters
Participation at the national level is vital for influencing legislation, policy, and guidance that shape services and support for families. By sharing the themed lived experiences and individual case studies to highlight the impact of the current SEND system, the NNPCF provides valuable insights, contributes to policy development, and helps drive decisions that lead to positive change. This ensures that the voices of parent carers are central to shaping policies and services that directly impact families.
The NNPCF is frequently invited to collaborate with the government and national organisations on key issues. This includes:
- Submitting responses to inquiries and consultations.
- Acting as witnesses during important hearings.
- Participating in meetings with key committees, ministers, and secretaries of state.
- National working groups and forums
During these engagements, the NNPCF represents the lived experiences of its wider Parent Carer Forum members, ensuring decision-makers fully understand the challenges families face and the changes needed to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
Key Organisations the NNPCF Work With
- Department for Education (DfE)
The DfE oversees children’s services and education in the UK, including early years, schools, higher and further education, and apprenticeships. Its policies aim to ensure high-quality education and support for all children, including those with SEND.
- Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)
The DHSC develops health and social care policy in England, focusing on access to essential care. For children and young people with SEND, it supports policies that integrate health and social care, such as those delivered through Integrated Care Systems (ICS).
- NHS England
NHS England leads the National Health Service in England, ensuring high-quality healthcare services. It operates through seven regional teams that support the delivery of local NHS services via 42 Integrated Care Systems (ICS). These systems aim to improve community health and integrate health and social care for families with SEND.
- OFSTED & CQC
OFSTED inspects services for education, skills, and children’s social care across England. Its inspections assess how well services meet the needs of children and young people with SEND, ensuring accountability and quality.
CQC monitor, inspects and regulates health and social care services.
In addition to these collaborations, the NNPCF partners with key stakeholders in the charity and voluntary sectors to drive innovation and improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND. Together, these efforts create better opportunities and services for families. Learn more about our work and recent contributions in the news section of our website.
Information Sharing and Engagement
Communication is central to the NNPCF’s work. Nationally, information flows up from local Parent Carer Forums, who collate the themed local lived experiences of their local, to their regional NNPCF Board member, ensuring grassroots insights shape strategies and priorities. Updates and developments from the Board member are then shared back through the network, ensuring parents and carers who are connected to their local Parent Carer Forums remain informed about national activities and programs.
We encourage parent carers, Parent Carer Forums, and regional networks to engage in both local service development, regional and national consultations and initiatives. This ensures that families’ voices are central to the decisions that affect their lives.