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PODS PARENT CARER FORUM UPDATE

I am writing this update to all our families following feedback that you wanted to know how your voices are heard across health, social care and education and what the outcome of sharing those voices.

We take feedback seriously,  and it’s important that the parent carer forum responds appropriately to you.  So much work goes on ‘behind the scenes’ and we’re sharing this as a snapshot – please don’t hesitate to ask if there is more you want to know, or to share your experiences directly with me.

jayne@podstelford.org / 0777 534 2092

We represent families experiences and your ‘voices’ at many strategic and operational meetings.  Over this last month these have included the following, some of the outcomes of these meetings are shared below in Green, to demonstrate the importance of your voices.

Meetings Update

Short Breaks Forum (open meeting for any families who want to share experiences of short break (social care) services.

Understanding of what short breaks are available, opportunity to share experiences including respite care, local provisions (inc pos 18), clarity on short breaks statement/offer.  The Short Breaks Marketplace (Hazeldine House) was set up based on your feedback.

SEND Partnership Board – Director level attendance alongside representatives from Education, schools/post 16, social care, health.  We had an update from the recent SEND Inspection, and plans over the next 12 months in relation to the SEND and Alternative Provision Strategy, update from BeeU regarding waiting times and reviewing the SEND Action Plan for all services.

This is an ongoing board meeting and outcomes from it have led to the ‘Challenges at Home’ sessions, understanding of families needs regarding social care, Education – we are now on the EHCP quality assurance panel, SEN Support, developing workshops (with partners), SEND drop ins at library.  The Annual survey results are shared here and we ask for responses to key areas.

NB. More to be shared on this Board – next meeting will be in September.

KeyWorker Communication Meeting – with project team and Barnardos reviewing the KeyWorker project (for families with Autism/Learning Disability).

Specific cohort of families, but understanding the processes so we can share these with families at edge of crisis, shared with wider team of PODS staff for awareness and helping families understand the DSR/CETR routes.  Self Referral is now possible (via PODS).

Family Hubs – one of our trained Parent Reps attended and reported back.  This is a networking opportunity to share what’s important to our families and understanding what services are available (early years families).

Our work with family hubs has highlighted a gap for SEND Families.  This has now led to a piece of work, led by PODS Charity for an early years worker to support families pre-birth/up to 1 year of age.

MPFT (who deliver the BeeU Core Service) – update regarding family experiences, this is where we take individual cases for follow up.

Ability to take individual cases forward and response given to families to reassure them they are ‘in the system’ or to chase up urgent cases.

Meeting with Designated Clinical Officer to discuss health led questions and to understand the processes and routes of access. 

Discussion regarding health processes and systems, across whole SEND area. How services are developing across T&W (and how link in with Shropshire), End of Life/Palliative Care improvement project.

Regional Meeting for Parent Carer Forums (West Midlands). Sharing best practice and looking at how other forums are working.

Sharing what is happening locally and learning what is important to other areas relating to parent experiences.  Good practice and sharing ideas.

NeuroDiversity Pathway Project – reviewing pathways, waiting lists, development of the new ‘Healthier Together’ website – information sources and help for families.

All of the Neuro work – autism, adhd, wider mental health co-conditions.  Feedback into the new website to help support families with information as early as possible and also share support offers.  (NB. Website covers all health)

See website here: https://stw-healthiertogether.nhs.uk/parentscarers

SEND Health Operational Group – introduction to the Working Together, sharing family experiences regarding A&E/Hospital admissions and community SEND Health offers.

Opportunity to meet SEND health leads at operational level (health providers across mental health, early years (Child Development Centre), School nursing, Hospitals and to understand their roles.  Sharing information about the Working Together Charter, embedding co-production to ensure families are involved in all service delivery.  Project looking at A&E attendance in development.

Inclusive Leisure – sharing the work going on in Leisure Services, across all the sites, including specialist equipment at Stirchley Gym, training for staff, swimming lessons, ski-slope, communication boards at leisure centres.

Feedback from families shared, developing service offers to meet local needs, setting up the splash park at Town Centre, Bike Hub developments, etc.

Parent Carer Experiences – Annual Survey

We produce a yearly report of Parent Carer Experiences (as well as taking them all to meetings more regularly).  This helps to demonstrate our families needs in a more formal manner, and we ask you to please complete our form below – it takes about 6 minutes to do so and as a thank you, you have the opportunity to be entered into a prize draw to win a £50 shopping voucher.

Thank you for your time.

https://forms.office.com/e/v52yMx2i3w

Other Activities

Wider activities we run and are involved in include:

• Challenges at Home sessions (for families on Autism pathway)
• SEND workshops – annual reviews, EHCP checklist, Library drop-ins
• Events and activities including the Happy, Healthier Active Holiday Scheme.
• *NEW* Tourette’s Action Support Group
• Coming soon: Adult social care & PODS 25+ experience group

Working with Partners

Some of our Partners include: Dandelions, Challenging Perceptions, COG (wider charities for T&W), Down Syndrome Group, Newport Hub, Club 2000, SNAC, Families of LD campaign group, SENDIASS, Telford Autism Hub . . .

Website Update

We are currently updating the website with more information and will include a wider introduction to the PODS Parent Carer Forum, and our team of Volunteer Parent Reps who support us and how you can get further involved.

Thank You

Thank you for reading this update.  I plan to get this out to you every month.  The weekly ebulletin on Monday’s will continue to share opportunities to get involved and links to updates on strategy/policy of course so keep your eyes peeled.

Remember we are stronger together, and

“Together, we can make a difference”.

Best Regards

Jayne Stevens

Strategic Co-ordinator

PODS Parent Carer Forum

0777 534 2092 / jayne@podstelford.org

Please note the above material is subject to copyright, please contact PODS before sharing any of the information in this PODS Ebulletin.

Thank you for reading our latest Ebulletin, please stay safe & well. 

Kerrie Seagrave, Member Support Co-ordinator

on behalf of PODS Parent Carer Forum.

We hope you enjoyed reading our latest e-bulletin - we hope you continue to find it useful. If you have any suggestions to make it better feel free to let me know.