Blackpool Parent Carer Forum are a volunteer-led group of SEND parents funded by the department of education consisting of:
- Chair- Emma Wright
- Co-Chair- Leanne Errington
- Steering group members & volunteers
We offer peer support and engagement opportunities for families of children and young people aged 0–25 with diagnosed or undiagnosed additional needs.
We are parents on our own journeys and we understand.
Support the Parent Carer Forum offer
- Peer support from people who “live it everyday”
- Events & drop-ins
- A safe space to connect and ask questions
- Signposting & advice tailored to your child’s needs
- Form filling support
- A listening ear when you need it most
- Engagement opportunities with services
Services the Parent Carer Forum work with
We work closely with:
- Blackpool Council
- Health services (NHS)
- Social care & early help
- Mental health support providers
- SENDIASS
- Makaton specialists
- Voluntary and private sector organisations
- Educational settings
Together, we aim to improve services and outcomes for SEND families.
Goals of the Parent Carer Forum
We are passionate about:
- Making sure families are heard
- Building strong partnerships with local services
- Creating change based on lived experience
- Helping every child reach their full potential
- Ensuring no parent feels alone or invisible
- Myth busting for parents - we answer questions with facts and through the forum we can take any questions/ concerns to professionals and support to build relationships
How Parent Carer Forum create change
Listening to parent experiences
- Feeding insights into decision-making
- Co-producing better services
- Highlighting what’s working (and what’s not)
- Bringing professionals and families together
- Collate data to find gaps within the SEND systems
Why the Parent Carer Forum is important for services
You can help us:
- Signpost families to the forum
- Share our events and drop-ins
- Let us know about any emerging needs
- Invite us to meet families at your sessions
- Bridge the gap between families and services
- We could support you to make your sessions SEND friendly
Email the Parent Carer Forum on blackpoolparentforum@outlook.com or visit the Parent Carer Forum.