Issue - items at meetings - Parents' views on the future of Special Educational Needs (SEN) in Brighton & Hove from the Parent Carers' Council

Report of the Strategic Director, Resources (copy attached)

16.1    Debbie Collins, Parent Participation Worker with Amaze introduced the report from the Parent Carers’ Council (PaCC). She advised that the PaCC aims to maximise children’s opportunities to flourish by working with all organisations to champion equality and raise standards of services and support for carer families.   There are now 174 parents who have agreed to become members of the PaCC.

16.2    Members were provided with further background to the PaCC and to SEN provision and how it has changed. Ms Collins outlined what action the PaCC would like to see taken, including:

·        The government’s Green paper, introduced in May, proposing radical changes in the way that SEN is delivered in schools has also meant that progress into the recommendations made in the report have been slow to be realised. 

·        It has been difficult to engage with head teachers and SENCOs from the mainstream school sector Members recommended that the report be sent out to Headteachers again. 

·        Commitment from the LA to follow through the recommendations outlined in the report is needed.

·        A resourced systematic involvement of parent carers in the strategic delivery of SEN across the city should be aimed for.

·        The SEN change board will be a good opportunity for this to happen and for parents to be more involved.