Newsletter April 2025

Joanne Southall • April 28, 2025

PCF NEWS

In order to keep you up to date on all of the works we are involved in to ensure that your experiences are heard, we have created a new BLOG area on our website

PCF Blogs...

Here are some of the latest updates…..

Parent/Carer Coffee Mornings

Free, informal sessions, where parents will be able to chat to other parents. Some hosted by us, others we will be attending.

People from education, health, SEN services and charities will pop along to some coffee mornings so you can ask them any questions about accessing their services.

We will regularly be updating and sharing local coffee events on this page. If you have any you wish to feature then please get in touch.

View New Coffee Events Page Here!

NEW BLOG: Life as a Special Guardian – Jayne’s Story

Jayne – a Parent Carer Forum rep and Special Guardian to her nephew, who has ADHD, autism and developmental trauma. In this blog, she explains what Special Guardianship really means and the challenges families like mine face. She also explore the vital importance of the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF), which is currently under threat.

Read the full blog here!

NEW BLOG: Community Champions Event – Warrington

Our rep Jayne recently attended the Community Champions Event in Warrington, proudly representing our Parent Carer Forum. The day was packed with inspiring conversations around mental health, lived experience, and improving support across Cheshire & Merseyside.

“It was a brilliant day. I learned so much and met lots of wonderful people.” – Jayne

Read the full blog here!

COMMUNITY UPDATES

Starting Well Engagement

Delivery of services including Children’s Centres, health visiting and school nursing

The Starting Well service delivers support to children, young people, their families and carers across Cheshire West and Chester. The service is based mainly in Children’s Centres but also delivers support in families and carers' homes, and in schools.

The Starting Well team includes Health Visitors, nursery workers, early years workers and School Nurses.

We would like to gather some initial ideas from people who use a Starting Well 0-19 service (up to 25 years old for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)), and those who don’t, to understand what works well and what could be done better.

Have Your Say Here!

Calling All Parents & Carers!

Are you looking for youth services and support for young people with SEND in Cheshire West?

Whether you’re looking for activities, advice, or specialist support, this page is designed to help young people access the services they need.

Check out what’s available here!

Sensory rooms at children’s centres!

Newly Refurbished Sensory Room Now Open in Blacon!

We’re pleased to share that the Sensory Room at Blacon Children’s Centre is now open and available for families to book.

The room is FREE to use and can be booked in hourly slots, Monday to Friday between 08:30 and 16:30.

Blacon Children’s Centre

Carlisle Road, Blacon, Chester CH1 5DB

Tel: (01244) 397412

We’d appreciate your support in helping us promote this sensory space, along with all the other sensory rooms available across Cheshire West and Chester:

Lache Children’s Centre – CH4 8HX – (01606) 397486

Stanlaw Abbey Children’s Centre – CH65 9HE – (0151) 4888036

Wharton Children’s Centre – CW7 3HN – (01606) 555285

Victoria Road Children’s Centre – CW9 5UT – (01606) 555286

More information on what’s on offer here!

Preparation for Adulthood Forum

We know—from listening to families across Cheshire West—that many parent carers do not feel positive about the Preparation for Adulthood (PfA) journey for their young people. You’ve told us that support can feel unclear, disjointed, and hard to navigate. We hear you—and we want to change that.

That’s why this event is all about bringing people together: young people, families, professionals, and services—to build a better, more joined-up experience for everyone.

Whether your child is in Year 9 or already facing the leap into adulthood.

Meet the professionals and other parent carers and enjoy a lunch provided be us!

Find out More and Book your Place Here!

New Financial Toolkit for Parents & Carers!
We know that navigating the financial challenges of raising a child with additional needs can be overwhelming. That’s why we’re excited to share the Parent Carer Forum Cheshire West Financial Toolkit—a resource designed to help you find the support, benefits, and grants available to families like yours!
Topics Covered:

Benefits & financial support
Grants & funding opportunities
Help with energy bills & cost of living
Wills & trusts

Transition to adulthood & decision-making
Local and national resources

Book Your Place Here

Meet the charities providing essential services in your community,

More Details coming Soon!

Come and See Us at the Children’s Young Person Forum (CYPF) Alliance Marketplace!

Thursday 8th May | 10:30am – 1:30pm

Northwich Memorial Court

We will be holding a stall at the upcoming CYPF Alliance Marketplace, hosted by Cheshire West Voluntary Action (CWVA).

This free event is a fantastic opportunity for organisations working with children, young people, and families to connect, collaborate, and share information. It’s open to members of the CYPF Alliance and public sector partners—and we’re excited to be part of it!

Families welcome!

From 12:30pm – 1:30pm, the event will open up to children, young people, and families, giving them a chance to discover what support is available locally in Cheshire West.

Please share this event with any families or parent carers you support—we’d love to see them there!

For more info email: enquiries@cwva.org.uk

SAVE THE DATE

Join Our Growing Team at the Parent Carer Forum – Vacancies Available
Are you a parent or carer of a child with additional needs or a disability in Cheshire West and Chester?

The Parent Carer Forum is looking for enthusiastic individuals to join our team!

Why Join Us?
Amplify Your Voice: Represent the perspectives of parents and carers in your school community. Your feedback will directly influence local services and SEND policies.

Make a Difference: Be part of a team that shapes positive changes for children and young people with SEND.

Flexibility: You can get involved at a pace that works for you—whether attending meetings, gathering parent feedback, or simply being a point of contact.