Newsletter September 2025

Lucy Kennerley • September 26, 2025

PCF SEPTEMBER NEWS

Here's our latest newsletter to download as a PDF document...

September Newsletter - download PDF

or follow this link to view online....

September Newsletter - view online

PLUS....To keep you up to date on all of the work, that we are involved in, go to our new BLOG/noticeboard area....

PCF Blogs...

A very warm welcome back!

We’re so happy to welcome you back!

This academic year, there’s lots to look forward to, from coffee events to forums, training, blogs, newsletters, as well as opportunities to work together with the professionals to improve outcomes for all children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Join us for our three key in-person forums on Neurodiversity, Preparation for Adulthood, and Education & Inclusion. In addition, stay connected from home with our virtual forums and workshops on a variety of SEND topics.

We will be attending parent coffee events in our schools, children centres and our local charities. We love meeting families and hearing your experiences, sharing information and resources. If you’d like the Parent Carer Forum (PCF) to host a coffee event at your school, please get in touch, we’d be delighted to help organise and come along!

Here is to another year ahead!

With warm wishes,

The Parent Carer Forum

Virtual Forum

Learn who we are at the Parent Carer Forum (PCF)

Discover what we do and why we do it, both locally and nationally
Meet the director of Education shaping SEND services in Cheshire West & Chester

Book your place here!

Virtual Parent Training
This interactive training is designed to give parent carers the confidence and tools they need to communicate effectively with professionals. We will share practical tips and real-life examples to help you prepare for meetings and be assertive in challenging conversations.

Whether you’re new to navigating SEND systems or looking to strengthen your existing skills, this session will help you feel more prepared, empowered, and heard.

About the facilitator
Our facilitator is Gillian Driscoll. Some of you will know Gillian as she is a fellow parent carer to Lucy, 14. Gillian's professional background is

in learning and development, where she works as a facilitator and coach to help people be the best they can be.

Gillian works with the Parent Carer Forum as a way of giving back to the people who provide support for everyone else. She promises to create a safe space for people to explore how they can improve their skills and confidence to advocate successfully on behalf of their loved ones.

Book your place here!

Neurodiversity Forum

Understanding Neurodiversity &

Support Services in

Cheshire West and Chester

Book your place here!

Free Information Sessions for Parent Carers

Do you have concerns that your child may have additional needs?

Would you like to know more about who can help you and your child?

The SEND Information, Advice and Support Service is running a series of free sessions across Cheshire West and Chester this November.

Programme for the sessions include:

Session 1: Special Educational Needs – support in schools. What support can I expect for my child? Tips and techniques for meeting with professionals.

Session 2: Education Health & Care Plans (EHCP) – Understanding what is in an EHCP. How the plan should be put in place and what to do if things go wrong?

Please note: Sessions will cover the same information in each location.

Chester Area:

Session 1: Friday 14th November 2025 (10.00am – 2.00pm)

Session 2:Friday 21st November 2025 (10.00am – 2.00pm)

Venue:

SPACE Unit 6/7, Grange Park, Grange Road, Chester, CH2 2AN

Ellesmere Port and Neston Area:

Session 1: Thursday 20th November 2025 (10.00am – 2.00pm)

Session 2: Thursday 27th November 2025 (10.00am – 2.00pm)

Venue:

Room G2 at The Portal, Wellington Road, Ellesmere Port, CH65 0BA

Winsford and Northwich Area:

Session 1: Wednesday 12th November 2025 (10.00am – 2.00pm)

Session 2: Wednesday 19th November 2025 (10.00am – 2.00pm)

Venue:

Room G2, at Wyvern House, The Drumber, Winsford, CW7 1AH

You can attend one or both sessions, but due to limited numbers you must register to ensure a place.

Please bring your own lunch.

Places are limited – booking is essential

To register or find out more, call 0300 123 7001 or email IASService@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

Come along to meet other parents, learn more about the SEND system, and find out about local sources of support including the Live Well (Local Offer).

Parent/carer Coffee Events

There are a number of parent carer coffee events happening in Cheshire West and Chester, where our volunteers attend regularly including at the children centres, SPACE charity and Koala. Please keep an eye on our website where we will advertise them along with other SEND coffee events in the borough.

Parent Carer Coffee Events

Volunteering Team

All our volunteers are parent/carers with children and young people with SEND that live and/or access schools/services in Cheshire West and Chester. Between us all we have a wealth of lived experience navigating the SEND system. There is someone in our team that understands and can help guide you in the right direction. Please contact info@pcfcheshirewest.org or call 07900840867 to chat to someone from our team.

For more information about us check out our Facebook page, YouTube Channel and Website.

Ordinarily Available Provision (OAP) Guidance

Cheshire West and Chester are developing new guidance to set out what support is ordinarily available in schools and the community for children and young people with SEND.

Led by Principal Education Phycologist, Kate Hughes, the Council is committed to working in partnership with parent carers, and are looking for 10 parents/carers to join a focus group to help finalise this important guidance. The full document will cover Social Emotional Mental Health, Cognition and Learning, Communication and Interaction, and Sensory/Physical/Medical Needs.

Neurodiversity Profiling Tool- Update

Please see the latest blog on the development of the neurodiversity profiling tool here in Cheshire and Merseyside. Have the opportunity to complete the final surveys and have your say on the final drafts. Find out what it means for Cheshire West & Chester and next steps.

Neurodiversity Profiling Tool - Blog

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/

Click here for more...

< Older Post

November 2025 In-Person Forum: Neurodiversity

By Joanne Southall • September 24, 2025

Who is this for? This event is for parent carers of children and young people (aged 0–25) with SEND in Cheshire Wes and Chester. It’s a chance to hear from professionals, ask questions, and get practical strategies to support your child at home and in school. What’s on the day: Understanding Neurodiversity & Support in Cheshire West & Chester What neurodiversity is and why it matters Updates on CWAC’s Neurodiversity Profiling Tool and diagnostic pathway Parent introduction on using the neurodiversity tool Speakers include Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator, Educational Psychologist, Autism Team. Information on accessing external support services Partnership Inclusion Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) How schools in CWAC are becoming more inclusive for neurodiverse children Parent and student perspectives Resources, blogs, and practical advice from PCF involvement in the project How the learning from the project can support other schools Marketplace Meet local services and support organisations, including Autism Team, SALT, SPOTSS, OT, CWP (reasonable adjustments), Information Advice Support Service, Disability Positive, and more Opportunity to speak directly with professionals and other parent carers Food & Refreshments Tea, coffee, and cake will be provided. Please bring your own lunch. 📌 Important: This event is only open to parent carers of children/young people with SEND aged 0–25 in CWAC. Spaces are limited – book your place now!

Virtual Parent Training: Empowerment & Communication

By Joanne Southall • September 15, 2025

Build practical communication skills and confidence for meetings with professionals This interactive training is designed to give parent carers the confidence and tools they need to communicate effectively with professionals. We will share practical tips and real-life examples to help you prepare for meetings and be assertive in challenging conversations. By the end of the session, you’ll have: Clear strategies for confident, solution-focused communication A mini toolkit of templates and resources to use in meetings Greater confidence when speaking up for your child Whether you’re new to navigating SEND systems or looking to strengthen your existing skills, this session will help you feel more prepared, empowered, and heard. About our facilitator Our facilitator is Gillian Driscoll. Some of you will know Gillian as she is a fellow parent carer to Lucy, 14. Gillian's professional background is in learning and development where she works as a facilitator and coach to help people be the best they can be. Gillian works with the Parent Carer Forum as a way of giving back to the people who provide support for everyone else. She promises to create a safe space for people to explore how they can improve their skills and confidence to advocate successfully on behalf of their loved ones. 📌 Important: This session is only open to parent carers of children/young people with SEND aged 0–25 in CWAC . Spaces are limited – book your place now !

Information Advice Support Service (IASS) - How we can help you navigate the SEND system?

By Joanne Southall • September 11, 2025

To see other events coming up or to catch up on past events & presentations... click below

September 2025 Virtual Forum - Who Are We? & Meet the Directors

By Joanne Southall • September 2, 2025

PCF Virtual Forum: Get to know us & Meet the Directors Join us online on Thursday 30th September 2025, 10:00 – 11:30am for a special Virtual Forum! ✨ Learn who we are at the Parent Carer Forum (PCF) ✨ Discover what we do and why we do it on a national an local level ✨ Meet the directors behind the SEND services we help shape This is a free online event and open to all parents and carers of children and young people with a Special Educational Need/Disability age 0-25 in Cheshire West & Chester. Come along, ask questions, and get to know the parent volunteers working to shape the services in your community! Booking Link Below....