"What do Independent Parental Supporters (IPSs) do?"

IPSs work alongside Parent Partnership Officers to support, inform and empower parents and carers of children with Special Educationals Needs.

They may:

• visit parents in their homes to offer information and support regarding their child's educationals needs:
• accompany parents to meetings at school or with the Local Authority:
• help parents to complete education forms, write letters and compile reports:
• signpost parents to other agencies which may be able to help them.

"What the Parent Partnership Service can offer IPSs"

• Initial and ongoing training, including: Special Educational Needs, the Code of Practice, local educational policy and practice, developing personal skills:
• expenses for work-related travel and telephone calls:
• regular team meetings with Parent Partnership Officers and other Independent Parental Supporters.

"Who can be an IPS?"

IPSs come from all walks of life, and from many different backgrounds.

IPSs should:

• be interested in special needs, disability and education:
• want to help parents work in partnership with schools and local authorities:
• want to help parents play an active and informed role in their child's education:
• be aware of the need for confidentiality in dealing with parents and children:
• enjoy working as part of a team and be prepared to attend regular team meetings:
• be prepared to take part in a programme of accredited training:
• have some spare time available, particularly during term-time:
• be prepared to undergo a CRB check and provide personal references.

"What does the training involve?"

The Parent Partnership Service offers IPSs a 17 session training course leading to an Open College Network accreditation.

The course covers 7 areas of IPS work:

• how to be an effective IPS:
• Special Educational Needs law and guidance:
• Schools and Early Years settings:
• Statutory Assessments and Statements:
• Annual Reviews:
• working with other voluntary and statutory agencies:
• complaints, appeals and mediation.

Trainees are asked to produce a portfolio including records of group discussions, worksheets completed in training sessions and self-directed study exercises.

IPSs are also offered ongoing training and the opportunity to attend workshops and conferences alongside Parent Partnership Officers.

When starting work as an IPS, volunteers are given the opportunity to shadow Parent Partnership Officers on visits to parents and meetings with schools and the local authority.

"What do I do next?"

If you are interested in becoming an IPS then you should:

Telephone Christine Harrison (Manager) for an informal discussion on 01952 457176 Monday-Thursday 9.30 am - 4.00 pm or e-mail onchristine@parentpartnership-shropshireandtelford.org.uk.