What We Do

Joanne Southall • September 30, 2024

Here’s What We Do—and What We Don’t—at Cheshire West & Chester PCF


What We Do:


We Listen:

We’re all ears! Through our active social media platforms, focus groups, forums, and coffee mornings, we gather your thoughts, experiences, and concerns. These insights become the foundation of our work.


🔄 We Feed Back:

Your feedback matters! We regularly meet with our steering group to discuss what we’ve heard from you. We make sure your voices are echoed in all the right places.


🤝 We Co-Produce:

We work alongside the Local Authority on a range of important projects—from the SEND high needs review to the Autism/ADHD pathway. Our goal? To ensure that the policies shaping the future of our children and young people truly reflect your needs and aspirations.


❗ We Signpost:

We signpost families to the services that can help in their situation.


📢 We Keep You Informed:

Transparency is key! We provide updates through our website, social media, newsletters, and meetings. Whether it’s through a regular report or a quick post, we make sure you know what’s happening and what’s being done on your behalf.


📅 We Plan for the Future:

Every year, we gather our school reps to review what we’ve accomplished and plan for the year ahead. We focus on the themes that matter most to you, and yes—we even enjoy a lovely lunch while doing it!


What We Don’t Do:


 ❌ We’re Not in a Fight:

We believe in respectful dialogue. Engaging with the Local Authority in a direct yet constructive manner is how we make our voices heard. Confrontation and aggression don’t align with our approach.


❌ We Don’t Provide Services Directly:

Our role isn’t to offer direct support or services to families. We maintain our independence to critically assess the services that families use and need. Providing services would conflict with our mission to be an objective advocate.


❌ We’re Not a Protest Group:

Sitting down with decision-makers and clearly presenting our positions is the most effective way to achieve our goals. Co-production, not protest, is at the heart of what we do.


 ❌ We Don’t Advocate Individual Cases:

While we don’t take on individual cases, we do listen to your stories. When multiple families share similar experiences, it can highlight larger national issues. These stories help us bring attention to broader concerns in our ongoing dialogue with policymakers.



If you have any questions, please email us at: contact.pcfcwac@gmail.com or call 07900 840867


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

click below

Other PCF Events
By Joanne Southall March 13, 2026
Coffee Events for parents & carers. Everyone is welcome! Parents will be able to catch up with other parents. Children are welcome!
Newsletter February 2026
By Lucy Kennerley March 13, 2026
PCF Cheshire West & Chester Newsletter for February 2026 includes SEND inspection report, SEND Schools White Paper info and all our news and events coming up.
This info is for parent carers of children and young people (aged 0–25) with SEND in Cheshire West
By Lucy Kennerley March 11, 2026
Planning for adulthood can feel overwhelming — you don’t have to do it alone! Our Preparation for Adulthood Marketplace Event is a chance for parent carers and young people to find information, ask questions, and connect with services that can support the journey ahead.
Clubs for children with SEND in Cheshire West & Chester
By Joanne Southall March 8, 2026
What's On at Easter - for children with SEND in Cheshire West & Chester
‘Partnership for the Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools’ (PINS)
By Vanessa Usai February 12, 2026
The second year of the ‘Partnership for the Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools’ (PINS) project is now underway in three mainstream primary schools in Cheshire West and Chester. 
Understanding Mental Capacity Webinar for Parents & Carers of Young People with SEND
By Lucy Kennerley February 10, 2026
SEND - mental capacity & decision-making webinar key legal principles around mental capacity, Court of Protection, Deputyships vs Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs)
Endorphins January 2026 News - available to download and read
By Joanne Southall February 1, 2026
Endorphins January 2026 News - available to download and read.
By Lucy Kennerley January 26, 2026
Parent carers in Cheshire West & Chester newsletter. From vital updates on the 2026 PCF Survey, to details on upcoming SEND events, webinars and training.
PCF Cheshire West & Chester: National SEND Discussions – Brief Update
By Lucy Kennerley January 25, 2026
National SEND discussions. National Network of Parent Carer Forums (NNPCF) as part of the Department of Education’s current work on SEND reforms.
Naming Schools in Education Health Care Plans (EHCPs)
By Lucy Kennerley January 22, 2026
This guide explains your rights, the difference between Section 41 and non-Section 41 schools, and what the council must do when naming a school in an EHCP.