Volume 2 Issue 7

Parent Partnership is 5 years old!

To coincide with the five year anniversary of the Parent Partnership Service we have recently undertaken a parent satisfaction survey and wanted to share with parents and schools the response to our work. We delivered a questionnaire to 200 families who have been supported by staff throughout 2004. Nearly 30% were returned and analysed. Having asked what the worst thing about the service is, we were told that many parents of children with special educational needs still find it difficult to identify support including information about out service. This was the most negative finding and we will make real efforts during 2005 to publicise the service as widely as possible. Please help us to do this by spreading the word.

On the other hand, responses to direct questions about the quality of our service were overwhelmingly positive. Here is a selection of the questions we asked:

Q. How easy was it to get in touch - A. 'very easy or easy' - 89%
Q. Was the contact friendly and welcoming - A. 'friendly or very friendly' - 98%
Q. How did you find the information we sent - A.'very helpful or helpful' - 100%

When asked to comment on 'the best thing about parent partnership' comments included:

'the fact it is independent' 'someone was there very quickly to just talk to me' 'very understanding and supportive' 'friendly people who don't judge you/family' 'facing 'big wigs' at County Hall is scary, you can do it better with knowledgeable support' along with many, many more.

We are often told that many parents of children with SEN remain unaware of our service (perhaps unsurprising given the sheer size of County Durham) so, once again, help us to help them by passing on our details.

Elaine Chandler - PP Co-ordinator
Joan Temple - PP Officer
East Durham Education Centre
Peterlee,
County Durham.
SR8 2DP
0191 5873541

Teesdale Carers Centre

A support group for parents/carers meets on the last Friday of the month in Teesdale Carers Centre, Barnard Castle. Meetings are very informal and friendly. The aim of the group is to provide mutual support, information, training and social outlet for parents and other family members who are caring for a child with special needs, be it disabilities or difficulties. Everyone is welcome.
Ring Deb Toward on 01833 630202 for details of forthcoming meetings.

Derwentside Carers

The above support group for parents/carers of children with disabilities meets at Villa Real school in Consett every month.
Contact Marie Dalton on 01207 503651 for further details.

The ‘Welcome to Holland’ Group

This group for parents of children with special needs in Derwentside still meets once a fortnight. The venue is now the Children’s Play area in the Louisa Centre at Stanley. For details contact Julie Patterson on 01207 590930

Durham Initiative Group (DIG)

Meeting the Speech, Language and Communication Needs of Children: A Multi-agency Project - Speech and Language

How to become a school governor

If you would like more information about the roles and responsibilities of a School Governor please contact School and Governor Support Service:
Governor Development Unit
Gary Smithson
Tel: 0191 383 4559 or
Betty Young
Tel: 0191 383 3317

Young people 14 – 18 years

Making transitional care work for those with life-long complex care needs. Transition is the process of young people moving from Children’s services to those for adults. This change can be an anxious time, particularly for young people with life limiting or complex health needs and their families. It is therefore important that young adults are involved in decision making when planning continuing care and support for future years.

This project is supported by the Big Lottery Fund and has been set up to:

Listen to young people and families
Offer advice, help and support
Provide a complete overview of all the services that are available
Ensure that the young person has an appropriate care plan for the transition stage
Enhance multi-agency working

Three co-ordinators are working in a partnership involving Health, Social care, Education and voluntary Agencies. They are working across Easington Primary Care Trust to find the best way of providing the transition from Childrens' to Adults' services.
For more information ring Pauline King on 01642 782919

Gymnastics Group

Deerness Leisure Centre is running a gymnastics group for young people aged 13 to 18 who are hearing impaired. Another group runs for children and young people with disabilities in the same age range. These activities cost about Ł1.50 a session.
For more details contact Colin Smith at the Centre on 0191 3732324

The Go-ahead Club - Youth and disabled activities Club

The Youth and Disabled Activity Club based at Chilton Community College has now become ‘The Go-Ahead Club’. It now meets in the concert hall at Chilton Workingmen’s Club. Apologies are offered to anyone who has not received any information about recent meetings, as organisers do not have names and addresses of everyone who has previously attended. The Go-Ahead Club committee is waiting to welcome back anyone who has been in the past.