In February 2024, the Staffordshire Parent Carer Forum (SPCF) gathered on Zoom for our Annual General Meeting (AGM). It brought together our Steering Committee and members. As always, the AGM provided a valuable opportunity to celebrate our achievements, acknowledge challenges, and set the course for the future. The discussions highlight the progress made in 2023 and outline our aims and objectives for the upcoming year.
2023 IN REVIEW
In 2023, the SPCF achieved significant milestones, including being involved in the OFSTED re-inspection and the implementation of an Accelerated Progress Plan. The result of the OFSTED re-inspection was satisfactory. Since then, we have been developing enhanced communication with local authorities as they seek advice and input from us before making decisions. This shift shows a positive step towards collaborative decision-making, empowering us to engage in necessary, often difficult, conversations and advocate for the needs of our children effectively.
Throughout the year, we organised several impactful events and completed multiple projects.
- The SPCF Family Day, held at Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, was super popular, fostering connections among families and leading to an increase in membership.
- The Together We Thrive Conference brought together diverse groups including parents, educators, NHS staff, and support groups to address crucial issues related to SEND collectively.
- We successfully concluded the Autism in School Project Stage 2, receiving excellent feedback.
- Co-production of the new EAPDR focusing on improving the environment around the child and early intervention rather than changing the children themselves.
- Co-production with the review of special provisions prioritises proactive solutions to support children before crisis arise, an example of our commitment to early intervention and support.
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
Increasing membership remains a priority for SPCF. We are delighted to announce that as of February 2024, we have 140 members representing 192 children, a significant increase from the previous year. We’re grateful to our members for their support and encourage them to continue spreading the word, amplifying our collective voice and impact. Not a member yet? Find out one and become one here.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES FOR 2024/2025
Looking ahead, we remain committed to engaging with members and fostering dialogue through our events, survey, social media and emails. We conducted a survey to monitor changes in Staffordshire and provide valuable feedback to local authorities. Additionally, we encourage SPCF representatives to help build networks at the district level (there are 8 districts in Staffordshire), facilitating engagement and collaboration within local communities through the new family hubs. In practice, this would mean organising a chance for parents to meet locally over a cup of tea or coffee and exchanging views and thoughts on the SEND system for us to share with the local authority and statutory bodies.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- We are getting ready for the second Together We Thrive 2024 Conference on Wednesday 2 October. We invite all members to attend and encourage others to join.
- Additionally, discussions surrounding the forthcoming OFSTED re-inspection emphasise our commitment to holding councils accountable and advocating for the best interests of our children.
We look forward to continuing our mission of empowering families, advocating for inclusivity, and driving positive change in Staffordshire in the year ahead and beyond. Together, we can continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our children and our community.