Parent Partnership Service - Leicestershire County Council

The Parent Partnership Service (PPS) is a confidential and impartial service that supports families who have children with Special Educational Needs (SEN). We support families of children and young people aged 0 to 19 years with any educational issues. Children do not need to have a statement of special educational need or a medical diagnosis of disability to access the Parent Partnership Service.

Parent Partnership Services are designed to ensure that parents and carers of children with special educational needs (SEN) have access to information, advice and guidance on SEN matters to allow them to make informed decisions about their child’s education.

PPS can also help prevent difficulties from developing into disagreements, by helping both parties to resolve matters. The service encourages equal partnership between parents or carers and the people who are involved with special educational needs.

If you require assistance with resolving disagreements with schools regarding your child’s special educational needs, Together Trust can provide mediation support.

The SEN and Disability Act 2001 made PPS statutory, with LA’s having a duty to ensure that any parent within their authority is given advice and information about their child’s SEN.

How do we help families?

We may help in a number of ways, including:

Advice and information over the telephone
To meet with a Parent Partnership Officer in person
Support at meeting with school/local authority
Help writing reports
Free workshops/training on different issues regarding SEN

What services does the PPS provide?

The PPS provides a range of flexible services including:

Support and information over the telephone
Keeping a register of Independent Parental Supporters
Providing parents with an Independent Parental Supporter on request
Training for Independent Parental Supporters
Written information for parents about special educational needs
Assistance for parent support groups
Maintenance of a list of local helpful addresses and groups
Arranging independent mediation between parents and the LEA or school
Choice Advisory Service
Outreach Service
Family Support Groups

What is a Parental Supporter?

A parental supporter is a trained volunteered who can help families with the Special Educational Needs process.

An independent Parental Supporter can:

Listen to your concerns about your child's education
Support you at meetings concerning your child's special educational needs
Provide information and guidance on where to get further information about special educational needs
Explain the special educational needs process to you
Talk through the options available for your child
Help you to ensure that your child's views are heard
Sort out the paperwork with you
Help you to write your views

An Independent parental Supporter cannot:

Make decisions for you
Impose their personal views on you
Attend meetings in your absence
Help you with every family problem - their role is to help you with special educational needs issues
Write reports in your absence

Want to become a Parental Supporter? Contact us!

What is the Choice Advice Service?

Leicestershire PPS also offers support to all parents and carers of children transferring from Primary to Secondary or Upper school.

The children DO NOT need to have SEN. The Choice Advice Service specialises in giving parents and carers advice, support, help and information relating to children starting secondary or upper school.

Transferring to secondary or upper school can be one of the most difficult and stressful times for you and your family. If you would like help filling in the necessary forms or advice and information about the transfer process please contact us on 0116 2752097 or email at parent-partnership-service@leics.gov.uk.

Outreach Service

The PPS also provide an outreach service across Leicestershire (term time only). Parents can meet with a Parent Partnership Officer/Choice Advisor to discuss their child’s special educational needs or transfer to secondary school.

View our Outreach Service times and venues (PDF, 57Kb)

Family Support Groups

We provide drop in support groups for parents and carers with children aged 0 -19 years with additional needs or disability. Why not drop in for a coffee, a chat or information.

Countywide Family Drop-In times & venues 2010/11 (PDF, 114Kb)