Lincolnshire parent carer forum
- Lincolnshire Parent Carer Forum (LPCF) is an independent registered charity, working with the local authority and health service, improving services for children with SEND.
- LPCF is recognised and supported by the Department for Education, under the SEND code of practice 2015
- It is run by trustees and volunteers. Volunteers are mainly parent carers of children with SEND.
How it works
Support for parents
LPCF provide an experienced, supportive ear for parents, to promote their skills, knowledge and resillience
Free membership gives parents access to:
- Facebook page for parents only, with information and support
- regular, evidence based reports of parents views and feedback
- regular 'Time2Talk' meetings or coffee mornings
- signposting for parents of children with SEND to services and professionals
- signposting events for parents and professionals, including week of SEND
- workshops on specific issues for parents, requested by members
- wellbeing support and resilience building
- additional one-off benefits, including Max Cards
Working with the local authority, National Health Service (NHS) and partners:
- work with Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) and NHS to represent parents' views and experiences
- collect views of over 2000 members and feed back to the local authority and NHS.
- supportive "critical friend" relationship with LCC and NHS
- State of SEND survey every two years
- ensure policy, practice and documentation are parent friendly
Working with professionals:
- LPCF are the main means of communication between parents and professionals
- keep professionals informed of key updates and events for themselves and parents
- signpost parents to support services, freeing up professional's time
- setting visits to explain LPCF‘s role to staff or parents
- being actively linked with LPCF can help evidence commitment of engagement and participation for OFSTED and CQC
- promoting the innovative and positive work surrounding SEND in Lincolnshire at regional and national levels, including DfE and government feedback
