News and Campaigns
The PCC has recently participated in a small bids evaluation process lasting four days. As a result, the Aiming High Project Board has commissioned a range of summer and after-school activities for children with learning difficulties, disabilities and additional needs, and has enabled a number of existing services to continue or offer an extended service. We are likely to be involved in various stages of the commissioning process, commenting on draft service specifications, and participating in tender evaluation, shortlisting and interview. And this is why your views are important to us.
We have recently commented on a draft children’s homecare service specification and participated in Young Southwark’s story-telling event for parents and carers of children and young people with learning difficulties, disabilities or additional needs. Our input was very much appreciated on both occasions, and we are now intending to have a presence at one or more themed events in September. Details of these can be found under Meetings and Events/Other.
The London Region of Parent Partnership Services is currently canvassing parents and carers of children with special needs, medical needs and/or disabilities with a view to informing the Lamb Inquiry into special educational needs and parental confidence. This questionnaire has been sent to all parent/carers of children on the Southwark SEN database and provides us with a chance to express our views on the statementing process.
Whilst it may be too late to inform the Lamb Inquiry (the on-line survey is now closed), the PCC is very aware that this is an area of great concern to very many parents and would therefore urge parents to complete and return their questionnaires to Southwark Parent Partnership. As the covering letter from Southwark SEN Team states:
“This kind of feedback is necessary to help us identify where our attention and resources should be directed. Unless things are brought to our attention we cannot begin to do anything about it. ”
For more information on the Lamb Inquiry, please click here.