📢 PINS Project Now Underway in Cheshire West and Chester! 🌟

The Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) project is now rolling out across England! The Cheshire West and Chester Parent Carer Forum (PCF) is proud to be part of the Steering Group and is working closely with 4 local schools: Little Sutton C of E Primary, St. Winefride’s Catholic Primary, Neston Primary, and Farndon Primary.

As a partnership approach, our goal is to strengthen relationships between schools and parent carers, helping create inclusive environments that support neurodiverse children. Each school has completed a self-evaluation on Inclusion and Neurodiversity, and parent surveys have provided valuable insights.

Together, we’re building a collaborative approach to enhance neurodiversity inclusion in schools. Watch some of the training our schools have participated in here:
   •   Re-Introduction to PINS
   •   Embracing Difference
   •   Understanding Needs

If you would like more information about the project, or if your child attends one of the PINS Project schools and you’re interested in getting involved, please email Vanessa Usai at secretary.pcf.cwac@gmail.com.

Thank You for Attending the Mental Health Forum! 🙏💙

We’re so grateful to the 70+ Parents/Carers and Professionals who joined us. It was a full day packed with valuable information and important conversations on mental health and communication. 🧠💬

Hope you found it useful and enjoyed the food! 🍽️😊 

Don't worry if you were unable to attend the event or would like to take a another look at the information from the professionals.
All the presentations from the event are now available on our website...

☕️ Here’s a recap of our Sip & Learn with IASS! ☕️

Thank you to everyone who joined us for coffee and a great conversation with IASS (Information, Advice and Support Service)! 💬🤝 This event was a fantastic opportunity for parents and carers to learn more about how IASS supports families and collaborates with the Parent Carer Forum Cheshire West to advocate for the needs of our community. 🌟

Together, we’re making sure every voice is heard and every question answered. 💙 Missed the event? 

NEW PCF School's Representatives Lead.

Hi, I’m Kate, and I’m delighted to share a bit about myself. 
As a proud parent of a neurodivergent son, and being neurodivergent myself, our family has a deep love for life and nature. We also understand the unique challenges and complexities that come with being neurodivergent.

In July 2024, I joined the Parent Carer Forum (PCF) as the school representative for Whitby Heath Primary School in Ellesmere Port. Driven by a desire to help and support other parents, I strive to connect families with the services and community they need.

Recently, I’ve taken on the role of Lead School Representative, where I’ll be supporting all other PCF school reps, where we aim to foster a supportive environment for every family, ensuring that each child's needs are met with understanding and care.

🌟 Success Story: Cheshire West & Chester Parent Carer Forum Using Survey Data to Drive Change! 🌟

Lucy and Julie from Cheshire West & Chester Parent Carer Forum (CW&C PCF) recently shared how their bi-annual parent carer survey has made a big impact on building an inclusive SEND community in Cheshire West! 💬✨

In a chat with Contact Associate Laura Burling, they discuss how the survey data has strengthened partnerships and influenced meaningful changes in the area. They’re passionate about inspiring other forums and proving that together, we can make a real difference! 💪💙

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: Short Breaks Commissioning Strategy 2021 - 2025 | Live Well Cheshire West

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.

Cheshire West and Chester Council are reintroducing Independent Travel Training this winter. Independent Travel Training is designed to give children and young people with Special Educational Needs/Disability the skills and confidence they need to travel independently.
 
It is a free service offered to children and young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN) who are eligible for travel assistance from the Council (visit the Cheshire West and Chester website for information about travel assistance eligibility for SEN: Special Educational Needs (SEN)/Disability | Cheshire West and Chester Council) and have access to a suitable public transport route.
 
Take up of this offer is not mandatory but it is a great opportunity to learn lifelong skills for the future.

📢 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! 😊

 FREE TRAINING OPPORTUNITY! 

We are excited to offer a FREE online training course exclusively for our members and their families.

This is a fantastic opportunity to enhance your skills and knowledge.
Don’t miss out on this chance to learn and grow

 PCF Event - Online
“Are you a parent or carer wanting to learn more about the SEND panel process? Join us for our Understanding Panel event!”
Details:
Date: Wednesday, December 11th
Time: 10:00 - 11:30 AM
We’ll cover:
•  What is a panel?
•  Types of panels
•  Who sits on the panel
•  How decisions are made
•  Fit to Submit
FREE Zoom Event! All parents and carers are welcome!

SAVE THE DATES....

PCF Virtual Forums via ZOOM

Thursday 13th March 2025 – Zoom 
Transitions and Pathways.

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. 💙✨

🌟 Are you navigating the world of SEND? 🌟

If you’re a parent or carer feeling overwhelmed by the SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) system, Navigating the system is hard. Here to help is a few go to places to get you started 💡💬 This provides practical information, guidance, and support to help families understand SEND processes and services. 🤝✨

From services to support like Disability Positive, Cheshire Warrington Carers and Koloa to peer groups such as TinySteps, Space and Autism Cheshire. 📚🔍

Need help getting started? Contact us at contact.pcfcwac@gmail.com / message/ phone: 07900 840867 and we can get you on your way.

It's time to share your experiences with GP services in Cheshire & Merseyside. Your feedback will help improve access and services for all. Take the survey now.

NESTON AFTER SCHOOL CLUB 
Our sessions take place at Neston Community and Youth Centre every Thursday
17:00 - 19:00
Join us for the following range of amazing activities:
Arts and Crafts
VR
Dance
Music
Board games & Chess tournaments
Biscuit & cake decorating
Sensory Play
Contact our bookings team to book your place!

Sadly, we know that schools are struggling to adapt to the needs of PDA children. It can feel overwhelming supporting a PDAer who is struggling in education if you can’t access any help.
In our School phobia/EBSA resource you can learn about alternative education, strategies for home support and accessing the right SEN provisions to ensure your child’s needs are met and understood.
Whether you're a parent, carer, or educator, this resource is packed with strategies, practical advice and recommended approaches to help you advocate for your child’s needs.

 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗻𝘅𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 
I'm so pleased to share that Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP) is offering 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) group interventions for parents of anxious children this autumn! 
These supportive and non-judgemental sessions are designed to equip parents with the tools they need to help children cope with anxiety—whether you're facing mild or severe cases. Sessions are tailored for different age groups and needs, including:
 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝗿-𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀 (𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗢𝗡) for parents of school-aged children (6 to 14 years) with moderate to severe anxiety.
 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿 (𝗢𝗡𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘) for parents of primary-aged children (5 to 11 years) with mild to moderate anxiety.
The groups will help parents understand anxiety, teach coping strategies, and provide confidence-building skills that make a real difference in family life. 
 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗺𝗻 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗦𝗼𝗼𝗻!
- Ellesmere Port & Winsford for Fear-Less (in-person)
- Online for Timid to Tiger

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