Parent Carer Forums
There are now three Parent Carer Forums operating independently within Luton, Central Bedfordshire and Bedford Borough.
Parent Carer Forums create opportunities for parents of disabled children and young people to work with local authorities that provide services for their families in order to improve the way that these services are designed and delivered.
The purpose of each Forum is to bring parent carers together to improve services for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), aged from birth and 25 years.
Parent Carer Forums seek the views of parent carers to better understand their needs and the challenges that they face. With a collective voice, parents can then help to shape the education, social care and health services provided for their children within their local area.
If you are the parent of a child or young person with a disability or additional need, and you would like to get involved, please contact your local Forum using the links below:
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Central Bedfordshire: Special Needs Action Panel
SNAP (Special Needs Action Panel) is a Parent Participation Forum enabling parent carers to participate in developing and influencing local services. We work with service providers, individuals and organisations to bring a real-life perspective and experience to the planning and development of the services that our families use. We focus on helping to raise the standard of Social Care, Education and Health Services within Central Bedfordshire, to ensure that these services are provided in a way that meets the needs of all disabled children and their families locally.
To become a member of SNAP you must be a parent of a child or young person with SEND aged 0-25 and live in Central Bedfordshire. Fill out a SNAP Membership Form to join.
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Bedford Borough Parent Carer Forum
Bedford Borough Parent Carer Forum (BBPCF) works alongside Bedford Borough Council (BBC) and the Integrated Care Board (ICB) as a strategic partner and critical friend. The Forum has built strong working relationships and have a trusted role as parent carers of children and young people with SEND aged 0-25 in Bedford Borough. We are experts by experience and as such, have a unique understanding of how challenging life can be raising a child or young person with SEND.
Membership is open to any family members or carers of any child or young adult with special educational needs or a disability, up to the age of 25 years and who live in or access services in Bedford Borough. You do not have to have a diagnosis to become a member, please complete our membership form here.
Home | Bedford Borough Parent Carer Forum (bbpcf.co.uk)
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Luton: Empowering Parents, Influencing Change
EPIC (Empowering Parents, Influencing Change) Luton is the official Parent Carer Forum for the Luton Borough. We are a voluntary and independent group of Luton Parents and Carers whose purpose is to become the bridge between services and families and a collective voice representing all members and all disabilities.
Our aim is to empower parents and carers of children and young people aged 0-25 with additional needs/ special educational needs and/or disability (SEND) within the Luton Borough to ensure services in our area meet the needs of children and young people and their families.
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Milton Keynes: Parents and Carers Alliance
PACA is an independent forum for parent carers of children and young people with disabilities or additional needs who live in the city of Milton Keynes.
We share our experiences with decision makers to bring about real change to develop local services and to make lives better for our families. We gather your opinions in response to proposals e.g. consultations and surveys.
Join our mailing list to receive regular news and updates. Have your say at meetings and local events. Become a mystery shopper. Help us with surveys and questionnaires.