Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find out who my local authority is?
The name of your Local Authority will be on your council tax bill, alternatively it should be on the sign outside your local schools, libraries, swiming pools etc. The link below should take you to a website that will help you find your LA if you are still unsure.
http://local.direct.gov.uk/LDGRedirect/Start.do?mode=1
My child goes to school in a different local authority to the one we live in, which PPS should I contact?
In the first instance you should contact the PPS in the Local Authority in which you live.
I think my child might have some special educational needs although the school haven’t said anything, will my local PPS help me?
Yes, your local PPS will be happy to help you.
I’ve looked at the details for my local service and their address is the same as the local authority, how can they be impartial?
As statutory services (ones that have to be provided by law) PPSs are all funded by their Local Authority. However they are all expected to be at 'arms length' of the LA and to provide impartial information, advice and support to parents. Some services are based outside of the LA with local charities/organisations, some are based in LA's but in their own buildings, while others may share offices with other LA services such as schools, children's centres, support services etc. Having the same address and your local authority does not mean that they will not be able to provide an impartial service, if you do have concerns the best thing to do is to phone your local service and ask how they make sure that their service is impartial. if you are not satisfied all PPS will be able to put you in touch with volunteers and/or independent organsations that will be able to help you.
More information on the range of things that PPSs do can be found in the most recent benchmarking report here:
Guidelines on the Government's expectations of good practice in the provision of impartial Parent Partnership Services can be found here:
My local PPS has only one member of staff how can they possibly provide a service to everyone that needs it?
There are wide differences between PPSs as can be seen in the benchmarking report. The local authority has the responsibilty of providing and funding a service that is able to meet the need of local parents. If you feel that they are not doing this in your area you can talk to the LA about this, your PPS or the Special Educational Needs Department in your LA will be able to tell you who to talk to.
If you have a question that isn't answered here, please do go to the contact page and let us know.
