pinpoint 2012 conference

Are we nearly there yet?

An update on pinpointparent participation work

Lynn Powell, pinpoint Operations & Development Manager

About pinpoint

for parents by parents

• Information

• Support and development

• ParticipationFocus on families with additional needs

learning, health, mental health or social care

living in poverty

Background – Cambridgeshire’s model

Parent carer participation network – regional and national links

National Network of Parent Carer Forums

• 151 local parent carer forums funded by DfE

• Eastern Region network

• Markers of good practice on participation

• pinpoint is Cambridgeshire’s representative

Parent carer participation – supporting the step up from consultation

“Consultation is often mistaken for participation, but it is part of the whole process of participation. Participation is about parents playing a full part in the decision-making process and is usually a continuous exercise. This requires practitioners to create the right environment for this to happen…”

(Contact a Family quote extracted from Cambridgeshire’s Parent Carer Involvement Strategy)

Who we know is listening

• Health and mental health support action plan

• Short breaks duty statement – new leaflet

• SEND Strategy – informed key priorities

• Clearer information on transition - new leaflet

• Better continence service - action group set up

• Wider range of breaks – commissioned with parents

• More help with getting benefits –commissioned

• Emotional support for parent carers - commissioned

• Extra sleep support - commissioned

Who else we know is listening

• Specialist ASC provision in Cambridgeshire – commissioned with parent representative

• Coordinated parent participation work – commissioned

• Early Support for all – re-launched

• Hospital passport - Addenbrooke’s Hospital and others

• Pamper days – extended to parent carers

• Support for siblings’ needs – training provided

• ‘SCIP card’ – carer leisure card (work in progress)

There are more, and there will be some we won’t know about.

Is the parent participation network making a difference?

Yes, we have come a long way…

• Commissioning, monitoring and evaluation of services is better informed through listening to parents

commissioners and service managers regularly attend our network meetings

parents are represented on many decision-making groups and panels

Evidence shows parent participation is leading to more cost effective use of resources (Contact a Family/NNPCF: Parent Participation – an overview)

Are we nearly there yet?

We’re getting there, but we need to…

• get better at evidencing where it is making a difference

• engage more people – parents, services and organisations

Which means: improving 2-way feedback identifying cost benefits and savings giving it time to grow

Why is it important now?

• challenging financial situation reducing budgets

• more people needing support less money to go around

• need to ensure most effective use of reducing resources

service users know what works best increased accountability for use of public resources

Parent participation in action - pinpoint 2012 conference

• opportunity to work together listen to each other’s views

• chance to share information openly make informed decisions

• opportunity to influence those responsible

Councillors

Executive Director of Children & Young People’s Services

School governors

Parent participation network – how you can find out more

• Phone us on 01480 878534

• Email us at getinvolved@pinpoint-cambs.org.uk

• Visit us at 17 Bridge Street, St Ives, PE27 5EH

• Support our events www.pinpoint-cambs.org.uk/events/forthcoming

• Visit us at www.pinpoint-cambs.org.uk

• Follow us on twitter http://twitter.com/pinpointcambs

• Like us on facebook https://www.facebook.com/pinpointcambs

• Sign up at www.pinpoint-cambs.org.uk/get-involved/join

• Invite us to your meetings or events