Partnerships – Participation & Co-production

___Since we formed in 2007, we have worked with many organisations representing the parent carer voice for Sunderland.   Over the years we’ve sat on many strategic partnerships, working groups, task & finish groups, and charity boards, some of which are still going now.

How does the forum work with its partners?

We need to gather the views, issues and experiences of Sunderland Parent Carers and their families, and we are very keen to hear from as many parent carers as possible; we do this by holding various events, quick polls on Facebook, email campaigns and surveys.

We then feedback these views at whichever meeting it is appropriate for, this is always done so that parent carers and their families cannot be identified;  Our aim is to be a critical friend to these practitioners and providers, highlighting good practice and services that are working well, and challenging them when things aren’t working well or when we don’t agree with what the providers are proposing, or where improvements need to be made, ensuring that the Parent Carer voice is heard, and taken into account when looking at provision and services for SEND children and young people in Sunderland.

We believe working in an evidence based, solution focussed way is the most productive way of ensuring that services commissioned are services that are needed and wanted as well as being value for money.