The National Network of Parent Carer Forums (NNPCF) is aware of recent media coverage concerning potential reductions in Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
As the national voice of parent carer forums in England, the NNPCF has been actively engaged in a range of roundtable discussions and informal conversations with partners across Education, Health, and Social Care regarding the ongoing SEND challenges.
We fully acknowledge the current challenges within the SEND system. Too often, families are forced to fight for an EHCP in order to access support and targeted provision that should be available without the need for a statutory plan. This has a profound and lasting impact on families — from the ability of parents to work due to low attendance or part-time timetables, to high exclusion rates, increased medical appointments, and the compounded pressures of the rising cost of living.
We also recognise the concerns families have around proposed welfare benefit reforms, which could further impact their financial and emotional well-being.
The NNPCF supports the government’s ambition for a more inclusive mainstream education system — one where children and young people with SEND receive the support they need without having to navigate a complex and adversarial process. However, we firmly believe that any system MUST include strong mechanisms for accountability and redress to ensure it delivers for all children and young people with SEND.
While reforms aim to build a better system for future generations, it is essential that the new system also addresses the needs of those currently navigating it — many of whom have already been let down or traumatised by the existing framework. Rebuilding trust must be a priority.
Any changes MUST be supported by a robust implementation plan, underpinned by sufficient funding and a skilled, well-trained workforce.
The NNPCF continues to advocate strongly for meaningful and wide-ranging engagement with families. Families must be central to shaping and implementing reforms — their voices must be heard, and their lived experiences must guide the development of a system that works for all.
There has been a proposal to change A levels and T levels.
Recently, our cochair’s, accompanied by one of our London reps, went to see what it was all about at two Department for Education engagement events.
The Advanced British Standard is a new framework, expected to be introduced in about 10 years’ time, to bring together technical and academic routes into a single framework, replacing current A levels and T Levels.
The new framework intends to:
increase the number of taught hours for all students (minimum 1,475 hours over two years)
require students to study Maths and English to the age of 18.
offer greater breadth, increasing the average number of subjects students take post 16 (usually a minimum of 5), with students able to choose a combination of bigger and smaller subjects, called ‘majors’ and ‘minors.’
£600 million will be invested over the next two years to support schools and colleges in laying the groundwork for delivering the Advanced British Standard.
The engagement sessions were held with a wide range of stakeholder groups; from industry, further education settings, to those who run apprenticeships and more. There were lots of discussions in the rooms, and a keen interest to ensure that any new system is fit for purpose and will meet the needs of young people in 2034. Unfortunately, there was very little focus on SEND in the presentations, which we challenged, along with how inclusive and accessible these changes were going to be for all SEND pupils. We also raised concerns around training for new teachers/staff, delivery, including space for all students to be in college 4 days a week, with some work around infrastructure being promised pre-release of this programme.
Ros Luff is one of the NNPCF regional representatives for the London region, and has now served nearly 4 years and has completed her first term in office.
In line with our policies and procedures, we now have an opportunity to re-tender her position. Ros would like to continue in her role, and we need to follow our recruitment process and Ros will need to reapply for the role.
If you would like to find out more and represent your region and contribute to the national work of the NNPCF, which will include working with the Department for Education, the NHS, and Ofsted (as well as many others) , please download this SG member job description.
The timetable for the recruitment process is outlined below:
Thursday 30 November is the deadline for applications
Week starting 4 December, the interviews will take place with a member of the NNPCF steering group and representatives from the London region.
Monday 11 December there will be an announcement of the successful candidate.
Anyone who is an active member of a parent carer forum in the London region can apply.
Applicants must also have the support of their local forum.
Sarah Clarke, the South East regional representative and steering group member for the NNPCF, has now served nearly 4 years and has completed her first term in office.
In line with our policies and procedures, we now have an opportunity to re-tender her position. Sarah would like to continue in her role, and we need to follow our recruitment process and Sarah will need to reapply for the role.
If you would like to find out more and represent your region and contribute to the national work of the NNPCF, which will include working with the Department for Education, the NHS, and Ofsted (as well as many others) , please download this SG member job description.
The timetable for the recruitment process is outlined below:
Thursday 30 November is the deadline for applications
Week starting 4 December, the interviews will take place with a member of the NNPCF steering group and representatives from the South East region.
Monday 11 December there will be an announcement of the successful candidate.
Anyone who is an active member of a parent carer forum in the South East can apply.
Applicants must also have the support of their local forum.
We would like to welcome Jo Harrison, from Essex Family Forum to the East of England representative role.
On her appointment Jo said, ”I am excited to be joining the NNPCF steering Group, representing the eleven Parent Carer Forums of the East of England.
As well as working for my local PCF, Essex Family Forum, I have been lucky to be a national representative for the NNPCF working nationally and regionally for the last 3 years. The East of England is a strong community and the passion from the regional PCFs to ensure the voices of parents and carers are heard, never ceases to amaze me!
I am excited to continue to work closely with them, building on the solid foundations we have as a region, which is largely in part to Mrunal’s commitment.
As a mum of two amazing girls who are neurodiverse, I am hoping that my experiences will continue to ensure I can understand, empathise, and provide a strong voice for the region. I have big shoes to fill, but I am excited to take on the challenge and I am lucky to have such a supportive team and region behind me.”
We would like to thank Mrunal for all his hard work and commitment to the East of England regional representative role.
Free NHS eye tests for children and young people who attend special schools will be introduced from next year.
The NNPCF have been part of an ongoing piece of work as part of the NHS Long Term Plan where Sensory Checks (sight, hearing and dental) are to be put in place for children and young people who attend special residential settings and have Learning Disabilities and/or Autism.
Pupils at special schools can face additional challenges in accessing sight testing services via opticians and a successful pilot scheme has proven the benefits of receiving tests and personalised advice in their familiar learning environments.
We are pleased to say NHS England has committed to extend this offer to make free NHS sight tests available within all special school settings.
We are super proud to share that our excellent co chair Tina Emery has been awarded an OBE for services to Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in King Charles Birthday honours list.
On receiving the news Tina said,
‘This has come as a bit of a surprise. I didn’t ever think this would be me. I’m only a small part of the work that is carried out by parent carer forums everyday. I couldn’t do this job without every single one of you.
Thank you for the kind messages people have relayed to me. I’m so proud to be part of a superb team and superb movement.’
Sarah Clarke appointed NNPCF Co-Chair as Mrunal Sisodia steps down
We are delighted to announce that Sarah Clarke, steering group member for the South East, has been elected as NNPCF Co-Chair by the board at a meeting on Tuesday 25 April. Sarah has served on the steering group for the last three years.
This means that after seven years our co chair, Mrunal Sisodia is stepping down from his role as NNPCF Co-Chair and East of England Steering Group member. Mrunal has been on the steering group since July 2016 and has served two full terms. He will be stepping own from both roles at the end of July.
Until then, he will be working with Sarah and Tina Emery, joint Co-Chair, to ensure a clear hand over of responsibilities.
The NNPCF will be contacting the East of England region to recruit a new regional steering group member later this week.
On her appointment Sarah said,
“It is a such an honour to have the opportunity to represent our families as the Co-Chair of the NNPCF. Mrunal and Tina made an amazing team and I hope that Tina and I will have that same strength. I am grateful that we have a network, of wonderful, committed parent carer forums, who never cease to inspire me with the work that they do. The NNPCF also has a dedicated Steering Group and Management Team whose support for my appointment has been very touching and I can’t wait to get started.”
On stepping down Mrunal stated,
“I have very mixed feelings about stepping down from the NNPCF steering group. On one hand it has been such a pleasure and a privilege working with such a passionate, committed and positive group of people and second to being a dad, I suspect this will be the most important role I ever have. On the other hand, I know that after serving my two terms, seven years on the NNPCF steering group it is time for me to move on – the organisation will continue to grow and do even greater work without me.
On that note, I am so pleased that at yesterday’s NNPCF steering group meeting, we elected Sarah to take over the post of Co-Chair from August. I have worked with Sarah for the last three years and I have every confidence that she will move the NNPCF onwards building on the work done by all the steering group members and cochairs that have preceded her.
I will be working with Sarah and the NNPCF steering group and management team over the next three months to ensure a smooth handover and I know that I won’t be missed.”
Co-Chair Tina Emery added,
“I have had the absolute pleasure of working with Mrunal since 2017. He has inspired and taught the team loads over his tenure, offering his insights into the political world like no other.
Whilst he says he won’t be missed, he will.
When you take on the role of Co-Chair, you worry that you will leave the NNPCF in a worse place than where you started, Mrunal you need not have worried. I am in awe of what we have achieved together as a team, we now have a strong steering group and management teams and you were the driver of that change. We as an organisation are more independent than ever and we thank you for having that vision and drawing the team together to start that journey. We are definitely in a better place now.
Your new role in the East of England Ambulance service NHS Trust are really lucky to have your vision and your drive and we will wish you well.
I am really pleased that Sarah will be joining us as the new Co-Chair, she has experience in the steering group. Together with forums, Steering group and management team, we will strive forward with the coproduction message, working with partners across all agencies.”
We will be starting the process to replace Mrunal as the East of England steering group member ASAP.
Our 2022/23 conference this year was a two part event, with a digital offering as well as an in person conference in Bristol.
Face-to-face conference
Our face-to-face conference was held on 28 February 2023 at the Double Tree by Hilton in Bristol City Centre.
The day was jointly organised and facilitated jointly the Contact and NNPCF teams.
We were joined by PCF members from around the country, as well as representatives from the NHS and the DfE.
The conference was livestreamed for the first time and you can watch the sessions below.
Contact’s Carolyn and our co chair Tina, opened the conference with a very warm welcome to our attendees. Amanda Batten gave her last conference speech, as she has now stepped down from her role as Contact’s Chief Executive.
Next came an Ofsted SEND inspection framework update from Dr Tina Pagett, HMI for Ofsted. https://youtu.be/KqKKF14QFeo
Our co chair Mrunal gave an impassioned address, asking the question ‘What next for SEND?’ highlighting that the time it was taking to put the 2014 SEND reforms into place was equal to an actual childhood. https://youtu.be/8iQub582AXY
The Q&A panel, included Alison Ismail, the Director for SEND and Alternative Provision at the DfE, Amanda Allard, the Deputy Director for Health, at the Council for Disabled Children,Tina Pagett, HMI, for further education and skills at Ofsted and Sue Nort from National Health England who answered questions that had been submitted from our PCF members in advance. https://youtu.be/Phc7un-iZQI
The Eva Sharma, from the DfE gave a presentation about the National Standards, something that had been included in the SEND review. This led to a round the table coproduction session with our attendees, who explored what should be included in the national standards in each stage of a child’s development. https://youtu.be/mwbvhSgwcm8
Finally we welcomed the minister for Children Families and Wellbeing, Claire Coutinho, who had joined us for the afternoon. She gave an address and hinted about the much anticipated SEND and AP green paper review response. The minister then answered questions from our co chair Tina. https://youtu.be/10oR7_V8UI8
Virtual conference
Thank you to all those who joined us at our joint virtual conference which took place on January 31, February 1 and February 2.
Please see the links below to recordings of sessions, as well as the resources.
Planning the recovery in children’s community services
The NNPCF has heard throughout the year of the challenges faced by families accessing community based services including SALT, ASD / ADHD services and paediatricians in the wake of the covid 19 pandemic.
NHS England has created a new recovery team to address these issues around children’s services who have agreed to speak to NNPCF membership about what NHS data is telling them and the steps they are exploring to tackle the problems. Included was an opportunity to coproduce the latest thinking on what the model for recovery might look like. Watch the recording session here you can also download the presentation, the Menti survey results and Menti summary from the session.
NNPCF AGM
This session includes:
Review the first six months of our operation as a Community Interest Company from October 2021 to March 2022
A look at what has happened in the world of SEND since April 2022 and put it into the broader context of political turmoil, cost of living and the NHS.
Coproduce our priorities for the coming year 2023-24 that will form the basis of our business plan and longer term strategy.
IPSEA, the SEND legal support charity, lead a session that outlines the major pieces of legislation that protect children and young people with SEND including the Children and Families Act, Equalities Act, Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act. They cover the tools that families (and forums) have at their disposal to seek redress if they have concerns. IPSEA also cover the services and support that they offer and how forums can seek further help and training.
This interactive session provided an opportunity for parents and carers to understand the DBV programme, ask questions, and contribute to how it is set up for success. The session explores:
What the DBV in SEND programme is and how it sits alongside other DfE activities
The progress made and findings to date
How to best connect parent-carers into the work of the programme
Developing the Parent Carer Forum handbook with Contact
Last year, Contact asked what forums wanted in the new forum handbook – In this session they share the survey results and discuss how to take things forward to develop a handbook that works for all parent carer forums.
