Greenwich launches new parent forum to improve SEND communication

Greenwich Council is set to launch a new parent forum, Greenwich SEND Voice, aimed at improving communication and collaboration regarding Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision.

The forum has been re-established to foster a stronger working relationship between parents and the local authority, following a period where a functioning forum was absent. The council believes that an increase in parental complaints and tribunals may have been exacerbated by this lack of engagement, hindering productive discourse. The Greenwich SEND Voice forum officially launched on December 13th with a family fun day at Woolwich Works.

The re-establishment of the Parent Carer Forum is seen as a crucial step in improving communication and ensuring that the voices of parents and carers are heard and acted upon. Key objectives for the forum in its first year include fostering better communication and collaboration between parents and the council, removing stigma, and providing signposting and support for families.

The high rate of appeals at ages five and eleven, which reflect key transition points and parental anxiety around mainstream settings, also highlights the need for improved communication. The council acknowledges that Greenwich's tribunal rates may be higher than neighbouring boroughs, with much of this driven by parental requests for specialist settings like Willow Dene School. The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities SEND Update document provides further context on this matter. ¹

Mechanisms to ensure feedback is acted upon are being developed as part of building trusting, productive relations with forum members. The council hopes to utilise the new parent forum to work with all groups to achieve its objectives.