WARRINGTON Borough Council has teamed up with parents and carers to help build better futures for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The Working in Partnership event, delivered by the council and Warrington Parents and Carers Forum, saw professionals and carers coming together at Orford Jubilee Hub to share ideas, give their views and work together towards developing better services for young people with SEND.
More than 100 people attended, with a focus on ‘Shaping up our strategy for children and young people with SEND’.
The event included a moving presentation from local nine-year-old Marcus, who has ADHD, Autism and PDA. Marcus connected with the audience with an honest insight into a young person’s perspective.
He chose what he wanted to talk about and which pictures he wanted to use in his presentation and spoke eloquently and confidently about his experiences.
Also sharing their experiences were Sharon and Sarah, who spoke from the parents’ perspective. They provided an emotional account of the difficulties they have faced, and the support that they have received on their journeys.
There was also the opportunity for guests to watch a video “Who Cares? We Do”, outlining the work that goes on in Warrington to support young people with SEND; and professionals and parents paired up to discuss the SEND and short breaks strategies, before working together on practical activities.
The council’s executive board member for children’s services, Cllr Jean Carter, said: “In Warrington, we are committed to making sure that no child is left behind and is given the support to reach his or her full potential.
“That means listening to children, parents and carers, finding out what services they need, taking on board their views and acting on them.
“This event gave us a fantastic opportunity to work together towards better futures for our young people.
“I’m delighted that the event was such a success – it’s an important part of our on-going partnership work and a great example of how young people and those who care for them can help shape services.”
Jean Fitzpatrick of the Chair of the Warrington Parents and Carers Forum said: “This fantastic fun and informative day brought the combined voices and views of both our parents and professionals together which leads to better strategic planning of services for children and young people with additional needs and or disabilities.
“This is crucially important especially in the present climate where demand for services and support is so great but where resources are so limited.”
All of the discussions and suggestions of the day, along with the priorities raised, will help inform Warrington’s SEND and Short Breaks strategies.
