Introduction to Durham Parent Partnership Service

Parent Partnership is a statutory service supporting parents and carers of children with special educational needs (SEN). Parent Partnership provides confidential information advice and support through a range of services. This includes home visits, attending school meetings and liaison with all services working with children and young people. Training and guidance to parents and schools on SEN issues are also provided.

Parent Partnership is at ‘arm’s length’ from the Local Authority and the services provided are confidential and impartial. Parent Partnership:

• are a free, impartial local service
• provide confidential information advice and support
• work directly with parents and carers of children and young people with SEN
• work in partnership with parents/carers, schools, the local authority and other agencies
• support parents to inform and influence local policy and practice
• enable parents and carers to make informed choices and decisions with confidence
• have a role in making sure that parents’ views are heard and understood and that these views inform local policy and practice
• able to put parents in touch with other local and national organizations

Parent Partnership provides information on:

• how special educational needs are identified and assessed by schools and the local authority
• who parents can talk to in a school or Durham County Council or Local Authority about their concerns
• the SEN Code of Practice, the statutory assessment process and statements
• parents/carers rights and responsibilities
• meetings and reviews about a child’s needs
• how progress is monitored and reviewed
• what parents can do if they are not happy with a decision made about their child’s SEN