Join Our Growing Team at the Parent Carer Forum – Vacancies Available!
Are you a parent or carer of a child with additional needs or a disability in Cheshire West and Chester? 🌟 The Parent Carer Forum (PCF CWAC) is looking for enthusiastic individuals to join as school representatives for:
💡 Cloughwood Academy
💡 Hinderton School
💡 Hebden Green School
💡 Various mainstream schools & Resource Provisions
💡Nursery Settings
💡Post -16 Settings

Why Join Us?
📣 Amplify Your Voice: Represent the perspectives of parents and carers in your school community. Your feedback will directly influence local services and SEND policies.

🤝 Make a Difference: Be part of a team that shapes positive changes for children and young people with SEND.

🤸Flexibility: You can get involved at a pace that works for you—whether attending meetings, gathering parent feedback, or simply being a point of contact.

What Does a School Rep Do?
   •   Act as a bridge between parents, schools, and the forum.
   •   Share information and feedback with the PCF to support collective representation.
   •   Contribute to creating better opportunities and outcomes for families in your area.

How to Get Involved

What’s a Panel? Event Recap 

We recently hosted the “What’s a Panel?” event, featuring Karen Cove, a Senior SEN Leader,
who shared her expertise on SEND panels and their critical role in decision-making. This
session aimed to demystify the process for parents and carers. A heartfelt thank you to all
attendees for their patience during the technical hiccups and for contributing thoughtful
questions that made the presentation thought provoking and engaging.
Understanding SEND Panels: What Are They and What Do They Do?
SEND panels are multi-disciplinary groups responsible for decisions that shape the educational
support provided to children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Karen
explained that these panels handle:
● SENDIP ( Early Years)
● EHCNA – primary and secondary
● Annual review panel
● PFA panel (Preparation For Adulthood)
● Top Up Panel
● EOTAS Panel (Education Other Than At School)

In chapter 9 of the SEND code of practice it says –
“It is helpful for local authorities to set up moderating groups to support transparency in decision-making. Such groups can improve the consistency of decision-making about whether to carry out an EHC needs assessment and whether to issue an EHC plan.”

Who Attends the Panel?
Open to professionals working with children and young people in the Borough – usually the professionals are – Health Visitors / Teachers / Head teachers / SENCO’s / Resource Provision managers / Early Years consultants / Educational Psychologists / Young People's Services / Youth Offending Service
● Voluntary
● Training
● TOR
● Confidential
● Preparation

Deciding whether to issue a plan
In deciding whether to make special educational provision in accordance with an EHC plan, the local authority should consider all the information gathered during the EHC needs assessment and set it alongside that available to the local authority prior to the assessment

Using the assessment information
The information from the EHC needs assessment confirms the information available on the nature and extent of the child or young person’s SEN
● whether the special educational provision required to meet the child or young person’s needs can reasonably be provided from within the resources normally available to mainstream early years providers, schools and post-16 institutions, or
● whether it may be necessary for the local authority to make special educational provision in accordance with an EHC plan

Thank You!
A big thank you to Karen Cove for her invaluable expertise and adaptability during the session.
Thanks also to everyone who participated—your thought provoking questions and enthusiasm.
For more updates and information on upcoming events, visit Parent Carer Forum Cheshire
West Parent Carer Forum | Cheshire West | Chester
Any further questions please email contact.pcfcwac@gmail.com
#SENDSupport #EHCP #ParentCarerForum #UnderstandingPanels

 Update on the Brighter Futures Training in Autistic girls, Masking and PDA 
A big thank you to everyone who attended the recent Brighter Futures workshop Your participation and feedback mean so much to us.

We know many of you are were waiting for the recording, and we sincerely apologise for the delay.  It’s now ready to share with you! 
You can access the slides, documents and the recording here...

Thank you to everyone who attended the PCF Short Breaks & Wraparound Care SIP & Learn at Live Cheshire 

Parent Carers met with Local Authority Commissioners and service providers to share their views and experiences of ‘Short Breaks’ and wraparound care for disabled children. This was a great opportunity for professionals to understand the lived experience of families and the challenges that they face with childcare and finding supportive and inclusive activities for their children. If you would like to know more about ‘Short Breaks’ then please go to the Local Offer website
If you missed today, we will be running this event again on the 23rd January in Northwich Down Syndrome Cheshire pop along to see us.

Cheshire West and Chester Council are developing a new Short Breaks Commissioning Strategy that will set out a vision to provide short breaks for parents/carers with children/young people with Special Education Needs and
Disabilities (SEND). The vision is to create a supportive and inclusive environment where disabled children and young people can thrive while providing their families with an essential short break. They aim to commission high-quality short breaks that cater to the diverse needs of children and young people with disabilities, ensuring they have access to enriching experiences that promote their development, socialisation and wellbeing.

They are gathering some initial thoughts and ideas from people with lived experience through a series of workshops for parents, carers and young people. They would welcome the opportunity to meet as many of you as possible to hear your experiences of short breaks, what works well, what needs improvement and your
ideas for the future.

They are also engaging with children and young people, various providers, as well as colleagues from across the Council to ensure that we are discussing this as widely as possible.

Once this information has been gathered, they would welcome the opportunity to come back to parents/carers and young people to co-produce the Short Breaks Commissioning Strategy to ensure that it is fit for the future and reflective of your needs.

Find out more
To find out more about the current Short Breaks Commissioning Strategy, it can be
found on the Live Well Website by clicking on the following link below

Get involved
If you would like to book on one of the face to face workshops, please click on the following link to book your place: Short Breaks booking form or call 0151 356 6558.

If you are unable to make one of the face to face workshops but would like to be involved in this, please contact
aiminghighfordisabledchildren@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk 

to look at booking an alternative date and time.

 Have Your Say on Disabled Children’s Social Care Law in England!

Contact has announced extra online sessions to gather feedback on proposed changes to the law around disabled children’s social care in England. This is your chance to share your views and ensure that the voices of families and carers are heard.

The sessions will discuss:
    •    How proposed changes might impact families.
    •    Whether the plans address the needs of disabled children effectively.
    •    Your experiences and suggestions for improvement.

 Dates for the Extra Sessions:

Online events
Evening online public event: 16 December, 7:30pm-9:00pm

Lunch time online public event (lunch time): 6 January, 12:30pm-2:00pm

 Join the Conversation
These free, online sessions are open to all families and carers of disabled children.

Find out more and register here:
 Click here to contact: Extra Sessions on Disabled Children’s Social Care Law 

Let’s work together to make sure these changes truly reflect the needs of our community! 

🎄 Merry Christmas from the Parent Carer Forum Cheshire West! 🎄
 
As the festive season approaches, we want to wish all our families a joyful and peaceful Christmas. 💙 Whether your Christmas plans include chicken nuggets for Christmas dinner, crafting a new sensory diet and visual timetables to see you through, or simply taking a moment for yourself, remember: you are not alone. 🫶
 
If you’re looking for local support this Christmas, visit our blog on navigating the SEND system to find helpful resources and services tailored to families in Cheshire West.

National Support:

• Contact: Support and information for families with disabled children – 0808 808 3555.
  Visit Contact’s website https://contact.org.uk/help-for-families/listening-ear/
• Scope: Support for disabled people and their families – 0808 800 3333.
  Learn more https://www.scope.org.uk/helpline
  
• Mind: Mental health support – 0300 123 3393.

Tips for Coping at Christmas

• Get support https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/christmas-and-mental-health/christmas-coping-tips/
• Samaritans: 24/7 listening service – 116 123.  Contact them https://www.samaritans.org/
• mental heath for children and young people https://www.youngminds.org.uk/

This season can look different for every family, and that’s okay 👌 Take time to rest, recharge, and enjoy the little moments. We look forward to supporting you in the New Year. 🎅✨
 
With warm wishes,
The Parent Carer Forum Cheshire West Team 💕
 
#MerryChristmas #SENDSupport #HereForYou

 Join us for a Relaxed and Friendly Catch-Up! 

Are you a parent or carer of a child or young person with SEND? We’d love to invite you to our PCF School Rep Coffee & Chat event:

 Date: Wednesday 18th December
 Time: 6 PM - 7 PM
 Location: Theatre Porto, Whitby Park, Ellesmere Port

This is a great opportunity to:
 Meet other SEND parents and carers in a warm, welcoming space.
 Share experiences and have casual conversations over a cup of tea or coffee.
 Connect with others who understand the joys and challenges of supporting children with special needs.

Whether you’re looking for friendly faces, new connections, or just a chat, this event is for you. Bring the kids along, too—we look forward to seeing you there!

For more details, visit: www.pcfcheshirewest.org/whats-on

All SEND parents, carers, children, and young people are welcome!

#SENDCommunity #ParentCarerForum #CheshireWest

📢 Join Us for a Coffee & Chat Drop-In Session! ☕️💬
💡 Topic: Short Breaks & Wraparound Care 💡
Do you struggle with wraparound care or need a break from your caring role?

This session is for YOU! 🌟
Come along to:

🕒Learn about Wraparound Care: Support available outside school hours for SEND families, including after-school, weekends, and holidays.

🌼Explore Short Breaks: Find out how to access services that give you a break while your child receives quality care.

🙋‍♀️Ask Questions & Give Feedback: Your chance to chat with service providers and share your thoughts.

🤝Meet Other Parents & Carers: Enjoy a coffee and connect with others in a relaxed, informal setting.

We’re here to help you navigate support options! 🌈

📢 Everyone is welcome! Let’s chat, share, and support each other! 😊

SAVE THE DATES....

PCF Virtual Forums via ZOOM

Thursday 13th March 2025 – Zoom 
Transitions and Pathways.

 Your Futures Fair - Cheshire West 

Are you or someone you know planning for life after school or college? The Your Futures Fair is specifically for young people with EHCPs (Education, Health, and Care Plans) and additional needs, offering tailored opportunities and support!

 4th March 2025
 Time: 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM
 Location: Dee Banks School, Chester

This event is packed with opportunities to explore education, employment, and training options. Meet local providers, learn about support services, and discover the next steps to shape your future in a way that works for you!

 Free tickets available here: Your Futures Fair Tickets

Spread the word to ensure every young person with additional needs has the chance to plan their future with confidence! 

#CheshireWest #YourFuturesFair #EHCP #AdditionalNeeds #Education #Employment #Opportunities

NEW!!! PCF BLOGS.....

In order to keep you up to date on all of the workstreams we are attending to ensure that your experiences are heard we are creating a new BLOG area on our website. 

📢 Your Voices Heard Nationally on SEND Issues! 📢

The Parent Carer Forum Cheshire West is committed to amplifying your voice—not only through the National Network of Parent Carer Forums (NNPCF) but also by feeding back directly with local MPs to push for meaningful change in SEND support and policies. 💬🤝
Together, we’re making sure your experiences and insights influence decision-makers, ensuring SEND services reflect the needs of our children. 💙✨

 SIP & LEARN: EHCP Process with IASS 

Review our recent Sip and Learn session with IASS, where we delved into the EHCP (Education, Health, and Care Plan) process! It was fantastic to see so many parents and carers engaging, sharing experiences, and asking important questions.

For those who couldn’t make it this time, don’t worry! We’ll be running this session again in March at LIVE! Cheshire. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about the EHCP process in a relaxed setting with expert guidance from IASS.

 For more info, check out the event page here: Sip and Learn Coffee Event with IASS and the relevant documents that support the process including: SEN support and Quality First Teaching, SEN funding in Mainstream Schools and more ….

Don't forget that you can keep up to date with the latest PCF news and signposting information by checking our website and following us on Facebook. 

Please see below the HAF SEND booklet for Winter.
Places can be booked via the individual booking options for each provider, found on the flyer.
For more information AimingHighForDisabledChildren@cheshirewest.gov.uk



 Positive Mental Health for All- Join Cheshire West Voluntray Action for Their Second Event! 
After the success of the first engagement event, CWVA. Are excited to announce booking is now open for our next session:
 Date: Friday, February 7th
 Time: 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
 Location: Cheshire FA, Hartford
 Book your place here (please note, you’ll need to complete a quick one-time registration on our new booking system). https://book.plinth.org.uk/e/hphamAWfSF0kuybQA5BG
This project is all about improving mental health outcomes for eight under-served communities:
• Asylum seekers / refugees
• Gypsy / Traveller / Roma
• Polish community
• LGBTQIA+
• People with autism
• People with ADHD
• People with significant sight loss
• People with significant hearing loss
Our second event will focus especially on the last four groups, with valuable input from specialist VCSE organisations. We’ll also explore intersectionality and touch on the other communities involved.
 What to expect:
• Hear insights from lived and professional experiences
• Share your thoughts, questions, and ideas
• Access our online resources
Let’s come together as staff and volunteers across public and VCSE sectors to create better mental health outcomes for everyone.
We can’t wait to see you there!
Any questions please contact Andrew Herbert (he/him)
Strategic Development Lead - Mental Health & Community Hubs, Cheshire West Voluntary Action
 07908 100067
Working hours: 26.5 hours flexibly, typically Mon-Wed
For more information, visit our new Cheshire West Voluntary Action website.
http://www.cwva.org.uk/
#MentalHealthForAll #InclusiveCommunities #CheshireWest

FREE EVENT…..
Date: Thursday 13th February
Time: 10am-2pm
Venue: Canalside Conference Centre, 34 -36 Brooks Lane, Middlewich, Cheshire, CW10 0JG

USEFUL CONTACTS....

Live Well Cheshire West - www.livewell.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

Information Advice and Support Service (IASS) - Tel 0300 123 7001 

www.livewell.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/Services/1279 

SEN Team - Tel 0151 337 6505
senteam@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

Starting Well - www.startingwell.org.uk/

West Cheshire 0-16 CAMHS Tel - 01244 393200
www.cwp.nhs.uk/services-and-locations/services/west-cheshire-0-16-camhs/

IPSEA- Call-in Helpline Tel- 0300 22 5899
https://www.ipsea.org.uk/Pages/Category/service-overview

CONTACT Advice Line -Tel-0808 808 3555
https://contact.org.uk/ 

Get Involved with the PCF.... 

We are always looking for new parents and carers to join us. You can attend meetings, give feedback to influence the services your child or young person uses or help us to identify the gaps in services. Also, a chance to meet other parents and learn about what's on offer in Cheshire West & Chester. 
 
email contact.pcfcwac@gmail.com
or join us for one of our meetings. We hope to see you soon!

Copyright © 2024 CWAC PCF, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:  contact.pcfcwac@gmail.com