Before Christmas, we met with Ofsted to provide an update on parents' experiences since our last inspection in 2022. The meeting was led by the same inspectors who conducted the 2022 inspection, so they were already familiar with the issues and challenges parents have been facing.

As a Parent Carer Forum (PCF), we share your frustration regarding delays in EHCP completion rates. During the meeting, we shared our recommendations on improving communication and processes to better support parents.

We remain committed to amplifying your voices and sharing your feedback to drive meaningful improvements for everyone.

Please use the link below to view Cheshire West and Chester's first SEND Newsletter...

📢 Join Us for a Coffee & Chat Drop-In Session! ☕️💬
💡 Topic: Short Breaks & Wraparound Care 💡
Do you struggle with wraparound care or need a break from your caring role?

This session is for YOU! 🌟
Come along to:

🕒Learn about Wraparound Care: Support available outside school hours for SEND families, including after-school, weekends, and holidays.

🌼Explore Short Breaks: Find out how to access services that give you a break while your child receives quality care.

🙋‍♀️Ask Questions & Give Feedback: Your chance to chat with service providers and share your thoughts.

🤝Meet Other Parents & Carers: Enjoy a coffee and connect with others in a relaxed, informal setting.

We’re here to help you navigate support options! 🌈

📢 Everyone is welcome! Let’s chat, share, and support each other! 😊

SAVE THE DATES....

PCF Virtual Forums via ZOOM

 Your Futures Fair - Cheshire West 

Are you or someone you know planning for life after school or college? The Your Futures Fair is specifically for young people with EHCPs (Education, Health, and Care Plans) and additional needs, offering tailored opportunities and support!

 4th March 2025
 Time: 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM
 Location: Dee Banks School, Chester

This event is packed with opportunities to explore education, employment, and training options. Meet local providers, learn about support services, and discover the next steps to shape your future in a way that works for you!

 Free tickets available here: Your Futures Fair Tickets

Spread the word to ensure every young person with additional needs has the chance to plan their future with confidence! 

#CheshireWest #YourFuturesFair #EHCP #AdditionalNeeds #Education #Employment #Opportunities

Community Connections Service - Update from Steve Arnold, Strategic Commissioning Programme Manager, Children and Families
 
It has been brought to the attention of Cheshire West and Chester Council that Parent Carers who are currently accessing the Community Connections Service are facing increased costs for individual services, memberships, and activities.
 
To clarify, should any Parent Carers be experiencing these difficulties we would like to take this opportunity to advise them to contact Disability Positive in the first instance, who can support and advise on how to maximise the use of the current agreed funding.

Where there is a clear increase in cost that is impacting access to a short break, Disability Positive will review/agree where suitable, an increase to the current package in line with the increased cost up to the maximum value of £1,000. 
For any parent carers already in receipt of the maximum amount of Community Connections funding (£1,000) and experiencing ongoing difficulties in accessing a short break due to increased costs of previously agreed activities, we would encourage you, in the first instance to speak with Disability Positive who are happy to liaise with Children’s Social Care and Children’s Commissioners in order for them to explore where possible any viable alternatives.
 
Cheshire West and Chester Council values and respects the dedication of our Parent Carer community and strives to remain fair and equitable to all. We would encourage any Parent Carers who are eligible but have yet to access the community connections service come forward and make contact with Disability Positive.
 
Disability Positive contact details are as follows: Tel: 01606 331853

or email: CommunityC@disabilitypositive.org

Note: If you have any feedback relating to this communication and your experience of accessing the Community Connections funding please contact secretary.pcf.cwac@gmail.com

PCF BLOGS.....

In order to keep you up to date on all of the workstreams we are attending to ensure that your experiences are heard we are creating a new BLOG area on our website. 

 Purpose of Our Blogs Page 
Our Blogs Page serves as a dynamic platform to connect, inform, and empower. Here’s how?
 Educate & Inform
We share key updates, resources, and insights to keep parents and carers in the know.
 Articles like the Cheshire Neurodevelopment Network and Autism and Masking blog
 Empower
From practical advice to personal stories, we offer guidance to help families navigate SEND challenges.
 Collaborative pieces like the IASS & PCF blog.
 Amplify Voices
We showcase the lived experiences of parents and carers to drive meaningful change.
 Stories like the PCF survey impact into the SEND scrutiny report, CWAC inclusive borough Motion, and the SEND summit.
 Promote Collaboration
We highlight partnerships and initiatives that improve services for SEND families.
 Blogs like the Partnership Inclusive Nurodiverstiy Schools project
Our Blogs Page is where information meets inspiration, fostering a stronger, more connected community. 
 Explore our latest posts here https://www.pcfcheshirewest.org/pfc-stories

 Free Adult ADHD Course
Are you or someone you know navigating life with ADHD? 
Check out this FREE online course tailored for adults with ADHD or those supporting them. It’s packed with practical tips, strategies, and resources to help manage everyday challenges and thrive.
 Sign up here: www.pcfcheshirewest.org/adult-adhd-course
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and grow!  Share with anyone who might benefit. 

🎉 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 (PCF CWAC) is looking for enthusiastic individuals to join as school representatives for:

💡 Cloughwood Academy
💡 Hinderton School
💡 Hebden Green School
💡 Various mainstream schools & Resource Provisions
💡Nursery Settings
💡Post -16 Settings

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.

What Does a School Rep Do?
   •   Act as a bridge between parents, schools, and the forum.
   •   Share information and feedback with the PCF to support collective representation.
   •   Contribute to creating better opportunities and outcomes for families in your area.

How to Get Involved

📲 Contact Us to express interest or find out more:

👉 https://www.pcfcheshirewest.org/contact

🎥 Learn More: Watch Our Video https://youtu.be/vcfmJHiGoKw

Don't forget that you can keep up to date with the latest PCF news and signposting information by checking our website and following us on Facebook. 

Technology Enabled Care Soft Marketing Engagement
 
Cheshire West and Chester Council is developing a new Technology Enabled Care (TEC) service. TEC is a way of offering a less restrictive means of support to those who need care or providing unpaid care and include equipment such as falls detectors, room sensors, epilepsy sensors on smart watches and specialist apps on smartphone.
 
The Council is gathering some initial thoughts and ideas from local people and is keen to hear from people who have direct experience of using technology to meet their care and support needs, or in their unpaid caring role as well as the general population, to see what is important to them and how technology can be used to improve lives. 
 
Responses will be used to inform and shape the future TEC service and its delivery. 
Cllr Sheila Little, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care said: “We aim to commission a high-quality cutting-edge TEC service that will cater to the diverse needs of our residents, ensuring they have access to the right technology at the right time, in the right way, that continues to promote their independence and wellbeing. We urge people to share their views by completing a questionnaire.”
 
For those with lived experience, including those who currently access TEC, families, friends, and carers: https://forms.office.com/e/N29Azkm8p7
 
For the general public: https://forms.office.com/e/VrT2CB7x21
 
If you have any questions, please contact ageingwellcommissioning@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

 Positive Mental Health for All- Join Cheshire West Voluntray Action for Their Second Event! 
After the success of the first engagement event, CWVA. Are excited to announce booking is now open for our next session:
 Date: Friday, February 7th
 Time: 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
 Location: Cheshire FA, Hartford
 Book your place here (please note, you’ll need to complete a quick one-time registration on our new booking system). https://book.plinth.org.uk/e/hphamAWfSF0kuybQA5BG
This project is all about improving mental health outcomes for eight under-served communities:
• Asylum seekers / refugees
• Gypsy / Traveller / Roma
• Polish community
• LGBTQIA+
• People with autism
• People with ADHD
• People with significant sight loss
• People with significant hearing loss
Our second event will focus especially on the last four groups, with valuable input from specialist VCSE organisations. We’ll also explore intersectionality and touch on the other communities involved.
 What to expect:
• Hear insights from lived and professional experiences
• Share your thoughts, questions, and ideas
• Access our online resources
Let’s come together as staff and volunteers across public and VCSE sectors to create better mental health outcomes for everyone.
We can’t wait to see you there!
Any questions please contact Andrew Herbert (he/him)
Strategic Development Lead - Mental Health & Community Hubs, Cheshire West Voluntary Action
 07908 100067
Working hours: 26.5 hours flexibly, typically Mon-Wed
For more information, visit our new Cheshire West Voluntary Action website.
http://www.cwva.org.uk/
#MentalHealthForAll #InclusiveCommunities #CheshireWest

USEFUL CONTACTS....

Live Well Cheshire West - www.livewell.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

Information Advice and Support Service (IASS) - Tel 0300 123 7001 

www.livewell.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/Services/1279 

SEN Team - Tel 0151 337 6505
senteam@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

Starting Well - www.startingwell.org.uk/

West Cheshire 0-16 CAMHS Tel - 01244 393200
www.cwp.nhs.uk/services-and-locations/services/west-cheshire-0-16-camhs/

IPSEA- Call-in Helpline Tel- 0300 22 5899
https://www.ipsea.org.uk/Pages/Category/service-overview

CONTACT Advice Line -Tel-0808 808 3555
https://contact.org.uk/ 

Get Involved with the PCF.... 

We are always looking for new parents and carers to join us. You can attend meetings, give feedback to influence the services your child or young person uses or help us to identify the gaps in services. Also, a chance to meet other parents and learn about what's on offer in Cheshire West & Chester. 
 
email contact.pcfcwac@gmail.com
or join us for one of our meetings. We hope to see you soon!

Copyright © 2024 CWAC PCF, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:  contact.pcfcwac@gmail.com