Home / HPCI Parent Network Update – 14 January 2022
Save the date for an HPCI public forum event for families to share their thoughts, concerns and ideas with HCC officers
Following on from the launch of the strategy, we have agreed with the local authority that it would be helpful to have regular public forums, so that families can talk directly to HCC officers and so we can keep up to date with their progress on delivering improvements. The first public session will be taking place (online) at 1:30pm on Friday 4 February and booking details will be released soon. Please save the date and if you would like to submit any questions, or raise any issues in advance, please do email me.
Another chance to attend the Goal Based Outcomes training
You might remember that the Educational Psychology Service ran some training at the end of last year about Goal Based Outcomes (GBOs). This was aimed at parents and carers of children and young people who have an EHCP and attend a mainstream school or SEMH provision. The session provided information about GBOs, which will be used to measure progress against outcomes in EHCPs as part of the Annual Review process and discussions.
There were a number of families who were not able to attend the training, so another session will be taking place via Microsoft Teams on Monday 28 February from 1:30pm – 3:00pm. To book a place, please email sendstrategy@hertfordshire.gov.uk and you will be sent an invite.
Finding out about courses, groups and support in Hertfordshire
If, like me, one of your new year’s resolutions is to find a new activity for your child with SEND (and also some more support for yourself…), then a great place to start is the Courses and Activities page of the Local Offer, where you can search for courses for parents and carers, support groups and activities and events.
Free legal clinics for parents of children and young people with SEND
In November last year, HPCI hosted The Burnside Partnership as they delivered a webinar which covered issues such as Wills, Trusts, Lasting Power of Attorney and Court of Protection Matters. If you would like to watch the webinar, you can do so here or via our webinars page where you will also find all our past webinars.
Following on from this, the solicitors who ran the session are now offering are free legal clinics to parents and carers (whether you attended one of the seminars or not). Each session offers “free, expert advice on your specific circumstances and the legal protections you need to have in place to ensure the future wellbeing of your child with SEND.” While HPCI cannot recommend any particular firm of solicitors, I thought members would want to be aware of this offer – for more details or to book your Zoom session, please contact: steven.treviss@theburnsidepartnership.com
Finally…
HPCI ended 2021 being awarded the HCC Children’s Services “Partner of the Year” in recognition of the high level of challenge and support that parents and carers provide across more than 60 workstreams. So thank you to all the parents and carers who feed in, engage and work to improve the services that our children and young people receive. Let’s keep going and let’s hope that 2022 is a year for change and delivery.
I hope that you have a good week. Next week’s newsletter will be a special edition focussing on health – new guides, a chance to shape services and more…
All best wishes,
Kate Hudson
HPCI Membership and Comms Officer