Below you’ll find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Somerset Parent Carer Forum. This section is designed to give you a clear and helpful overview of who we are, who can join, and how the forum works. If you don’t see your question answered here, we’d be happy to hear from you and provide more information. Click on the + sign next to each question for more information.

Somerset Parent Carer Forum CIC is a not for profit community interest company formed by parents carers of disabled children.

Our aim is to make sure the services in Somerset meet the needs of disabled children and their families.

Forums are independent and not part of the council or health service.

The forum is open to parent carers, family members, guardians and foster parents of children and young people who have Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities 0-25 (no diagnosis needed).

If you live in Somerset or access services from education, health or social care in Somerset, we would love you to join us.

o. Parent Carer Forums are FREE to join. You will not be charged to be part of the forum.

You will receive a newsletter which shares information about social events and ways you can share your views and experiences of services.

There are lots of different ways to get involved from completing a survey or attending an event. Everyone is welcome.

There are also roles such as steering group members and parent carer representatives within the forum. Check out our get involved section for more information.

The more people that get involved, the more we can accurately  represent what it is like for children, young people and their families.

Our forum promotes parental voice to influence change through listening events, discussion groups and working groups.

We gather the views of local families and work with the council, education settings, health providers and other providers to highlight where local services are working well, or challenge when changes or improvements need to be made.

Somerset Parent Carer Forum CIC feels that undertaking campaign activity is not consistent with our ethos. The forum exists to co-produce with service providers, commissioners and policy makers. Somerset Parent Carer Forum CIC strives to have a seat at the decision-making tables and influences in this way. As a forum we believe in constructive, evidence based challenge and use this method to raise the voice of parents when things are not working well.

Since February 2016, there have been limitations placed on the use of funds from government contracts for campaign activity. These have been written into each government contract, including that between the DfE and Parent Carer Forums. Similarly as a Community Interest Company we are prohibited from campaigning by Companies House. Individuals within the forum are free to campaign but do so as individuals representing their views, not as the forum.

This does not stop Somerset Parent Carer Forum supporting campaign activity when it aligns with our objectives – it simply prevents us from actively campaigning ourselves. By working together, Parent Carer Forums and campaign groups can complement each other’s activities. Find out more here. If you are a campaign group we would welcome a conversation on how we can work together and ensure your voice is included in the co-production work we do.

You can find our more by visiting:

Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/SomersetParentCarerForum

x – @SomersetPForum

Instagram – @somerset_parent_carer_forum

You can also contact us:

Phone – 01458 259384 or 07543 680365

Email – getinvolved@somersetparentcarerforum.org.uk

You can also join our closed group for parent carers at http://www.facebook.com/findingyourway

You can also download our one page infographic by clicking on the image.