Swindon PPS

Parent Partnership Services are a statutory requirement and are either based in-house, as is SPPS, or in the voluntary sector funded via a service level agreement.

We pride ourselves on offering parents and carers independent information and support about all aspects of their children’s special educational needs, particularly during Statutory Assessment.  We help parents understand local authority SEN processes and procedures, their parental rights under the SEN Code of Practice, outlining all their options and help them achieve the most appropriate education for their child’s particular special needs in a non-confrontational, but assertive manner.

This may involve helping parents:

• Prepare for, and supporting them at meetings;
• Draft the contribution to their child’s Statutory Assessment,
• Understand their child’s proposed statement and attached reports
• Negotiate with professionals over any changes to the statement
• Make a case for a particular type of provision or level of support
• Write letters to the local authority
• By just being a listening ear.

We will also help parents prepare for, and support them at, the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal. 

Support is provided by Parent Partnership staff or by trained, volunteer Independent Parental Supporters via the telephone, by letter, home visits or by parents just dropping into the service base. 

We also run information sessions on all aspects of SEN and Disability for parents, carers, governors and professionals interested in finding out about special educational needs.  Our parents’ support group meets four times a year.

SPPS also facilitates the SEN Forum three times a year.  This gives parent and volunteer representatives an opportunity to highlight any concerns they may have and discuss SEN issues with Officers from Education, Health, Social Care, Youth & Play Services, Connexions and Head Teachers in a non-confrontational setting.  Parent reps meet a month before hand and draft their questions that are then sent to the local authority in preparation for the Forum.

We also run the Choice Adviser Project, offering parents and carers information about choosing a school for their child. Contact Jeanette Gould on 466417.

For more information about how SPPS can support parents and schools ring 01793 466515. 

Contact:
2nd Floor, Wat Tyler West
Beckhampton Street
Swindon
SN1 2JH

Helpline:
01793 466 515

Email:
sbennett@swindon.gov.uk

Website: 
www.swindon.gov.uk/educationandlearning/parentalsupport/schools-spps.htm