www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Special Educational Needs - SEN Parents' Forum
What is Wiltshire’s SEN Parents' Forum?
The SEN Parents' Forum is a constructive way for parents/carers and voluntary sector groups to discuss special educational needs (SEN) related issues with the Local Authority (LA). It provides a non-confrontational setting for these partners to discuss and explore SEN issues and mutual areas of concern.
How is it organised?
The SEN Parents' Forum meets twice a year. Before each Forum four district pre-meetings take place for parents/carers and voluntary group representatives. These enable countywide representation when drawing up the issues to be considered at the Forum.
The aim of each pre-meeting is to prioritise a list of no more than three questions to be taken forward to the SEN Parents' Forum meeting. The questions directly relate to SEN issues, policies and practices rather than individual children.
Following the pre-meetings the questions generated are circulated to the relevant LA staff and posted on both the ask and Wiltshire County Council websites.
Up to five members of each area pre-meeting attend the SEN Parents' Forum meeting. Ideally, there is representation from parents/carers, support groups and those who have asked questions. Appropriate LA officers will attend, to provide answers and participate in discussion. Representatives from health and schools are also invited to attend the SEN Parents' Forum meeting.
All the meetings are organised and facilitated by representatives of SENSS, Wiltshire’s Parent Partnership Service.
Why have a Forum?
This opportunity for direct discussion improves the knowledge and understanding of issues surrounding SEN by all partners and informs future developments. The overall aim is to achieve improved outcomes for Wiltshire children.
What has been discussed by the Forum so far?
Regular forums have been taking place since November 2006. Feedback from parents, SENSS and Local Authority staff has been very positive. For full details of issues discussed at the forums so far, please go to Notes of SEN Forum. (pdf 68Kb) 
SEN Forum - dates and venues
The next set of meetings will take place in September 2008.
Representatives from each of the district meetings will be invited to attend the county SEN Forum meeting in November 2008, in Devizes.
Details of the district meetings for Autumn 2008 are:
|
Day |
Date |
Time |
Place |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Monday |
15.09.08 |
9:30 - 12:30 |
Chippenham |
|
Tuesday |
16.09.08 |
9:30 - 12:30 |
Trowbridge |
|
Monday |
29.09.08 |
9:30 - 12:30 |
Tidworth |
|
Tuesday |
30.09.08 |
9:30 - 12:30 |
Salisbury |
The County Forum will be held in Devizes on Monday 17th November 2008 from 9.30 - 12.30. To see the questions to be discussed, go to Notes of SEN Forum.
If you have any questions about the SEN Forum please contact us. If you would like to attend one of the district meetings, please go to our SEN forum attendance page.
Contact Details
By Post
SENSS
ask
Elmsgate
Edington Road
Steeple Ashton
BA14 6HP
By Email
By Telephone
08457 585072
