There are a number of local organisations available to parent carers of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities in Wiltshire. With some organisations having similar names, it can be confusing to know which organisation is which, and who does what. We hope the following is helpful.
Wiltshire Parent Carer Council (WPCC)
The WPCC is recognised by the DfE as Wiltshire's parent carer forum and is an independent organisation managed and run by parent carers for parent carers. The WPCC represents and supports parent carers of children and young people aged 0 to 25, resident across Wiltshire (excluding Swindon). All WPCC's services are free of charge.
The WPCC provides a specialist consultation and participation service which enables the collective voice of parent carers to positively influence the services they use and the support they receive. This is achieved by working in partnership with the people who commission and provide the services. The WPCC's model of participation and coproduction is highly regarded at a national level.
Additionally, the WPCC provides its Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Service (SENDIS), which is enhanced by its outreach workers. SENDIS offers a wealth of information and signposting support to specialist services.
It is free to register with the WPCC, as is attending the many events, consultations and workshops etc. that the WPCC organises throughout the year. The WPCC reimburses parent carer expenses (including childcare costs) when attending WPCC events etc., and even arranges free catering and refreshments for all attendees. The benefits of registering with the WPCC means that you receive lots of relevant information to support you as a parent carer.
Carer Support Wiltshire (CSW)
CSW works to support all carers of any age, including young carers to help find the support that’s right for you. CSW support workers can work alongside you to build on the positives, help improve your wellbeing, and build a positive future for you and the person you care for.
To access support from CSW, you need to register with them. Services and support provided to those registered with CSW includes:-
- Free training courses to help you in your caring role
- Pampering and complementary therapy sessions
- Days out and activities
- Breaks from your caring role
- Friendly support groups and carer cafes
- Connections with groups in your local community with their Make a Friend, Be a Friend project
- Advice and support to prepare you for a return to work
- A twice yearly newsletter and what’s on guide with all of their support groups, carer cafes and days out listed
Wiltshire SENDIASS
WPCC recently shared an update about the new contract for Wiltshire’s Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) service which has been awarded to Family Action.
• Family Action will take over from the current provider (KIDS) from 3rd April 2023.
• There has been an increase in investment in the new contract to keep up with the increasing demand.
• There may be some short-term disruption over the Easter period while colleagues familiarise themselves with new systems and processes.
Wiltshire SENDIASS is the statutory information, support and advice service for Wiltshire, provided by Family Action, a national charity that hosts nine SENDIAS Services. they offer free, independent and impartial information relating to education, health and social care for children and young people (0-25) with Special Educational Needs and/or disabilities (SEND), and their families, to empower them to make appropriate and informed choices.
Services include: -
• providing impartial and confidential advice and information for children, young people and families on SEND around education, health and care
• offering support with education, health and care plans (EHCP), including annual reviews, informal and formal mediation and tribunals
• supporting you to work with education providers to ensure your child/young person’s needs are met
• offering support and advice on transport, exclusions related to SEND, disability discrimination, elective home education and personal budgets
• support with writing letters and completing forms, and assistance with discussions and meetings with schools, the local authority SEN team and SEND professionals
• support with resolving disagreements, helping you to consider and determine the best way forward
• providing information and signposting to support services in your area
The contact details Wiltshire Family Action SENDIASS are as follows:-
Organisation: Wiltshire SENDIASS - Family Action
Service Type: Information, Advice and Advocacy
Website: https://www.family-action.org.uk/what-we-do/children-families/wiltshire-sendiass/
Contact Details…
Telephone: 01225 255266
Email: wiltshire.sendiass@family-action.org.uk
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