We are always pleased to talk to staff in schools, local authority and other education settings to discuss how we work, but we cannot discuss specific cases without the parents/carers permission.
 
The information about how we can work with you - in the frame below- can be scrolled down to read the whole text. You can download the same information in a pdf of our factsheet

You can also watch a short film produced by National Parent Partnership Service "How to get the best from your Parent Partnership Service" by following this link: -

Parent Partnership Service - Information for Professionals

Parent Partnership Service ( PPS ) aims to develop good working links with professionals in schools, local authorities and other services working with children with special educational needs and their parents/carers.

We are happy to take part in any events or workshops to benefit parent/carers and to give talks about our service.

We are not able to offer assessments or advice about individual children's needs.

We can give information, advice and support to parents/carers who:
 - live in Shropshire or Telford & Wrekin, or whose child goes to school, nursery or college here.
- have a child who has, or may have, special educational needs (SEN).
- need information, advice or support relating to their child’s education.

Our service offers advice and support to parents/carers who have concerns about education issues affecting their children. It is not able to offer general support around issues of disability and additional needs, although our web-site does contain useful information that is worth referring to.
 
Referring a parent / carer to our service 

Most parents and carers refer themselves to the service, but we are very happy to take referrals from schools, local authorities and fellow professionals.

If you would like to refer a parent/carer to Parent Partnership Service you will be asked if you have the parents/carer's permission. We cannot take referrals without this permission.

When we are working with parents we ask professionals to remember that we are there at the request of the parent, and not to share information with us that cannot be shared with the parent.

Parents, carers and professionals can contact the PPS by calling the referral line on 01952 457176. This line is usually staffed from 9.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and an answer-phone service is available at all other times. A member of staff will follow up messages left on the answer-phone on the next working day.

The referral line staff member will ask for some brief details:
• The parent’s name, address, telephone number and if there is a convenient time to call.
• The child’s name and date of birth.
• The school or other setting attended.
• If the child has special educational needs.
• Brief reasons for the referral.

If the parent or carer does not meet the criteria for referral, the referral line staff member will, wherever possible, signpost the parent, carer or referring professional on to a more appropriate service.

The member of staff may be able to pass on useful information or advice by phone. However, if further support will be necessary then the referral details will then be passed to the area Parent Partnership Officer, who will contact the parent as soon as possible.
We try to contact parents within two working days, but heavy case loads and difficulties in contacting parents may mean that this is not always possible. Once the Officer has made contact with the parent, they will pass on their personal contact number for future use. Parent Partnership Officers typically work between 9.00 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. Monday to Thursday.

The referral line can also be used for general enquiries by parents and professional, for example:
• To request information on support groups
• To request factsheets or other publications
• To request information on particular areas of special needs.

Why might we contact you?

Parent Partnership Officers will only contact other professionals if they have the parent’s permission to do so, and will only pass on information with the parent’s agreement.

Parent Partnership Officers may telephone you for the following reasons:
• To check information they have been given by a parent.
• To request information which will help them to support the parent more effectively.
• To let you know that a parent has asked them to attend a meeting.
• To pass on information which the parent wishes you to have.

If a Parent Partnership Officer leaves a message for you then they will usually leave their contact details, but in case of any difficulty then please contact our referral line.

You may sometimes also be contacted by a volunteer Independent Parental Supporter who should explain that they are working for the Parent Partnership Service. We are aware that some other organisations also employ Independent Parental Supporters who may not work to the same guidelines. If you are unsure whether the person who has contacted you works for the PPS, please call the referral line to check.

What do we do at meetings?

Parent Partnership Officers may sometimes support parents at meetings.
In meetings we aim to:
• Ensure that the parent understands the purpose of the meeting and the role of everyone there.
• Support the parent to express their concerns clearly and calmly.
• Ensure that everyone has the opportunity to speak and to put their point of view.
• Ensure that the parent understands any confusing terminology or jargon.
• Remind the parent about things they have told us they want to say or ask.
• Clarify at the end of the meeting any decisions taken or actions planned so that the parent is clear about any outcomes.

What can you do if you are unhappy with our service?

If you are unhappy with the service provided by a Parent Partnership Officer or Independent Parental Supporter, or if you have more general concerns about the Service, please contact Debbie Gibbon, Manager outlining your complaint. The issue will then be investigated and a reply given, in writing, within 14 days.

If you are not satisfied with the response, you are welcome to pursue the complaint with the Telford & Wrekin CVS manager

This information is available to download as a pdf  Information for Professionals 

Use these buttons to scroll up and down to read the whole of the text.

Parent Partnership Service - Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin
Telford & Wrekin CVS - Registered Charity Number 702589