Newsletter July 2025

Lucy Kennerley • July 30, 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…..

A message from our Chair, Julie Duff

As we look back on the academic year 2024/2025, I want to take a moment to express my deepest thanks to the incredible parent carers volunteers and families who are the heartbeat of the Parent Carer Forum. This year has been filled with growth, progress, and powerful moments of connection, but none of it would have been possible without you!

Whether you’ve attended a meeting, helped run an event, shared your story, or supported another parent, you’ve all made a difference. Your time, your voice, and your unwavering commitment is helping shape a better SEND system for families across Cheshire West & Chester. All those coffee events and forums, training sessions, strategy meetings, and survey feedback has shown that when families work together, meaningful change can happen. Last year we sowed the seeds, this year we see the “green shoots” of growth across the complex world of SEND.

Thank you again, with heartfelt gratitude to our volunteers, families, partners and stakeholders for being part of this journey. Your passion, strength, commitment and generosity have inspired us every step of the way to keep doing what we do. Here’s to an end of another very busy academic year, as we now rest and recharge ready continue to nurture our “growing shoots” in 2025/2026.

All the best over the summer holidays, our inbox will still be open.
The Parent Carer Forum

As Parent Carers, we know that the school holidays can bring mixed emotions, a chance for rest and fun, but also a time that can feel overwhelming, especially for families of children with additional needs. Routines shift, support may feel less available, and the pressure to “make it magical” can weigh heavy. Please know you’re not alone. Be kind to yourselves, take each day as it comes, and reach out if you need support even the smallest step is still progress.

Take a look at some of our top recommendations for connection and support in our blog Navigating the SEND system.

Navigating The SEND System

Looking for ideas, activities, and support over the summer holidays? Check out the Cheshire West & Chester Summer Holidays Padlet – a growing collection of resources and opportunities for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

Summer Holidays Padlet Cheshire West & Chester

Shared News & Updates

From coffee events to forums, training, blogs, newsletters, and co-producing strategy, everything we do is powered by the time, energy, and dedication of parent carers.

Every conversation, event, and decision reflects real lived experience and a shared commitment to making SEND voices heard in Cheshire West & Chester.

Here is a snapshot of our work in 2024/2025

At our AGM on 16th July, we looked back on a busy year of sharing parent voice to influence improvement in services. We shared important updates on SEND transport.

We also shared how your pledges are shaping our new Co-Production Charter and set out exciting plans for 2025/6 events, including new forums, Survey, training, and meetups

In case you missed it the full recording from the AGM is below along with our annual report, Q&As & presentation slides!

AGM recording & Report Link

As part of the ‘Partnership for the Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools’ (PINS) project the Parent Carer Forum has presented each of the 4 mainstream primary schools that took part in the project in 2024/2025 with a box of resources to be used as a library by children, parents, and teachers. The box is full of books and sensory equipment that can be used in school. The PCF also has a resource box that can be taken along to coffee mornings and meetings. The contents of the box can be seen in the photos and the attached list.

We are pleased to announce to be working with a new set of schools on the PINS Project in the Northwich and Winsford area in September.

Partnership for the Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools Blog

Second SEND Summit 2025: A Snapshot

The Second SEND Summit brought together over 150 professionals, parents, and carers to reflect, connect, and contribute to real change for children and young people in our community. We would like to thank all our partners for the continued investment in improving culture change and outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

Explore the full range of presentations, data, and resources from the day on the link below.

SEND Summit 2025

Latest SEND Newsletter from CWaC..

Representation Stages

Dorin Park School - Representation Stage - CWPCF

Cheshire West and Chester Council and Dorin Park School are consulting to introduce a permanent increase of school places at Dorin Park School.

Further details about the consultation can be found on our website via the following link:.

Dorin Park School and SEN specialist College - Increase the number of school places via Satellite site consultation | Cheshire West and Chester Council

The formal consultation runs from Monday 09 July – Wednesday 06 August 2025.

We encourage everyone to respond and welcome feedback over the four-week formal consultation period by thedeadline of midnight Wednesday 06 August 2025

Email: SchoolOrganisationandConsultation@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

Engagement

Development of a Sufficiency Plan
Closing date for responses Friday 8 August 2025

The Sufficiency and Commissioning Group is tasked with developing a Sufficiency Plan for the next 5 years to support the development of places in the borough depending on need. To do this we want to coproduce what is required with parents and other key stakeholders.

Coproduction Groups Include

Education Places – including places in mainstream schools (primary and secondary, including academies), special schools and independent non-maintained special schools
Educated Other than at School, i.e. children who receive tutoring

Please see the link and QR code below to express your interest in getting involved.

Development of a Sufficiency Plan Closing date for responses Friday 8 August 2025

Co-Production

Cheshire and Merseyside Neurodiversity Profiling Tool Pilot Evaluation

Centre for Autism, Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Intellectual Disabilities (CANDDID) Research team would like to invite you to co-production working group sessions to complete a time-limited piece of work. The aim of the working group is to refine the Portsmouth-Cornwall Profiling Tool to meet the needs of Cheshire and Merseyside young people.

Our first meeting will take place online via Microsoft Teams on:
Tuesday 22nd July 2025, 12 midday until 12.45
Future co-production sessions will be held at the same time on the following dates:
Tuesday 5th August
Tuesday 19th August
Tuesday 2nd September
Tuesday 16th September
Tuesday 30th September

Email to join the workshops here!

FREE support from Cheshire & Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP NHS)

If your child attends a Mental Health Support School, you’re invited to join a series of supportive and friendly sessions this summer to help you understand and manage your child’s emotional wellbeing.

Various sessions across the borough over summer!

Please ask the providers if your school is signed up with them.

To find out more, email: cwp.cheshiremhstadmin@nhs.net

Need a Break? Carefree Can Help!

Through Carefree, hundreds of hotels across the country donate short stays to unpaid carers — giving you the chance to rest and recharge. You can book a 1–2 night hotel stay with a companion, at a time and place that suits you.

Find out more and book your break here!

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.