WHAT IS SEND?
The UK government and the NHS describe SEND as "A child or young person has SEN if they have a learning difficulty or disability which calls for special educational provision to be made for him or her" (SEND Code of Practice 2015)
Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can affect a child or young person’s ability to learn. They can affect their:
behaviour or ability to socialise, for example they struggle to make friends
reading and writing, for example because they have dyslexia
ability to understand things
concentration levels, for example because they have ADHD
physical ability
what is SALFord parent carer forum CIC (SalfordPCF)?
Who we are
Salford Parent Carer Forum CIC was established in the Spring of 2021. We are a parent carer led forum, funded by The Department of Education.
We are run by a group of dedicated volunteers, who all have lived experience of having a child or children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND), who understand the difficulties and challenges faced by families.
In the Summer of 2024, we came a Community Interest Company to enable us to achieve more of our amazing work, reach more families, and create a sustainable forum for the future.
Our aims
The forums main aim is to gather the views of parent carers, in Salford on SEND services that educate, support and care for our children. This feedback, both good and bad is shared with Salford City Council, local health services, and wider partner agencies.
The purpose of this work is to ensure that services for children and young people in Salford with SEND, are fit for purpose and is meeting their needs. We work alongside agencies to improve services and improve access to support for families.
How do we do it
The forum works at a strategic level, working with leaders and decision makers, by attending meetings, joining working groups, sharing information and working towards shared goals.
We have worked to build a positive, open, working relationships with services, where we can share our worries and concerns as well as good practice we hear about.
Our work
We offer a regular programme of events to inform and empower parent cares, to hear their views and lived experiences, and to build a community of SEND support in Salford.
Our programme includes monthly Walk and Talks, drop-ins, coffee mornings, well-being sessions and an annual SEND information Day. We also organise Salford's yearly SEND survey as well as having a regular attendance at the Parent Assembly.