SEND partners

Parent Carer Forum (PCF)

FACE Walsall Parent Carer Forum is a parent participation group. It’s made up of parent carers who have children and young people with SEND. While they are not a support group, they do work closely with other parents, support groups, schools, and community organisations. 

FACE Walsall PCF:

  • listens to experiences and helps make a difference
  • collaborates with organisations that provide services for families
  • works as an independent partner with Walsall Council and the Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB). 

Their main job is to collect the views of local families and share their experiences with those who provide services. This is to make sure that the voices of parents and carers are heard and valued.  

When families tell them that services aren’t working, they hold the right people accountable. They challenge decisions to bring about change and progress. Their aim is to improve the lives and opportunities for all children and young people with SEND.  

FACE Walsall PCF welcomes any parents and carers of children or young people (0-25) with SEND who live in or access SEND services in Walsall. They are committed to being inclusive of all families from diverse backgrounds and disabilities.  

Roles within the PCF

There are several roles that offer different levels of involvement and responsibility. Membership is free and open to all parents, carers of children and young people with SEND who live in Walsall.  

Parent Carer Forum member 

As a member, you’ll receive regular updates, be invited to contribute your views through surveys and events, and get exclusive access to training and events hosted by FACE Walsall. 

Parent representative (parent rep)

A parent rep represents the voice of families at meetings with services and professionals. Acting as an expert by experience, they: 

  • attend meetings on behalf of the forum
  • complete feedback forms to keep the committee informed of their work
  • share learning and experiences with other parent reps
  • link in with services and professionals to ensure wider parent views are represented 

Committee member 

Committee members are responsible for the strategic direction and running of the forum. They attend regular meetings and ensure the forum remains parent-led and compliant with national guidance and local priorities. 

How to get involved 

For more information contact FACE Walsall.

SENDIASS

Walsall SENDIASS works in line with Children and Families Act 2014, the associated SEND code of practice, and the national quality standards for impartial information, advice and support services. 

Walsall SENDIASS: 

  • is confidential – unless they have your written consent, they cannot tell anyone else what you've told them
  • is impartial (doesn't take sides)
  • operates at arm’s length from the local authority – they'll help you to understand and challenge local authority decisions

It provides: 

  • SENDIASS website
  • a confidential helpline and email service
  • information, advice and support to children and young people up to the age of 25 with SEND
  • impartial advice about matters relating to SEND, including health and social care
  • support to parents/carers and children and young people with SEND taking part in decisions about education, health and social care

You can also get information/advice about: 

  • the law on SEND
  • EHCPs and procedures surrounding them
  • personalisation and personal budgets
  • the local offer
  • managing mediation, tribunals, appeals, exclusions and complaints
  • SEND support in early years provision, mainstream schools and post-16 institutions
  • local provision in mainstream, resourced mainstream and special schools
  • where to go for more support
  • what to do when things go wrong