Our Service

Information

The information officer is responsible for making Leeds Parent Partnership Service known to parents and carers, headteachers, schools and others they consider appropriate.

Aim

To build and maintain effective partnerships to make sure parents and carers are provided with impartial and factual information relating to their child’s individual needs. The information officer makes sure that a library of accurate information is readily available to distribute to parents and carers.

What we can do

The information officer maintains an information library to provide parents and carers with impartial advice, information and guidance to make the right choices for their child. National and local information and guidance is available about special educational needs, exclusions, choice advice and school standards.

How you can receive information

• Over the phone
• By post
• By email
• By text message
• Home visit for face-to-face advice and information
• At school meetings and school visits
• At group information sessions
• In ‘A Brighter Future’ newsletter
• At annual SEN market place event

General enquiries: 0113 395 1222
Email: education.pps@leeds.gov.uk

Volunteers

We are looking for volunteers in the following areas.

• Special educational needs
• Admissions appeals
• Exclusions

The role of the volunteer is to advocate, provide independent advice, and support parents and carers around the above areas.

Duties may include the following:

• Supporting the family by listening to their views and concerns over the phone
• Attending meetings in schools
• Supporting parents and carers when filling out forms
• Supporting parents and carers with writing letters
• Supporting parents and carers with appeal and tribunal applications
• Collecting evidence for tribunals and appeals
• Attending tribunals and appeals

Full training and expenses are given.

If you would like to become a volunteer, please complete the form below:

More information:

We recruit volunteers three times a year, in September, January and April. Don't worry if you have missed the recruitment date, as we can add you to the waiting list.

We have a rolling program of training for volunteers, please see the events section for dates.

Complete the following form to become a volunteer or to receive more information about becoming a volunteer.

Parent Participation

Leeds Parent Partnership Service knows that Parent Participation is a successful way of providing a better service. Evidence also shows that parents who are involved in planning and developing services are more contented and empowered parents/ We believe that through good participation we will have empowered parents, empowered children and an empowered community.

EPIC Leeds are a parent/carer participation forum in Leeds which aims to empower parents and carers to work in partnership with services, organisations and professionals.

What we can do

Our aim is to improve choices for children and young people with additional needs, and their families and carers.

Parent Participation at three levels ...

Decision Making

EPIC Leeds are represented on boards within organisations and services. We are actively involved in all decisions that are made. Parent/Carer views can be represented at the highest level and are respected.

Consultation

Organisations and services ask our members for their thoughts, ideas and experiences to help them shape their service delivery for the future. This is an important part of having Parent/Carer views listened to.

Information Sharing

Services and organisations share with us any information which may be useful to parents/carers and their families. We are a contact point for all services to get information out to families on our register in a timely fashion.

Why not become involved?

To find our more about EPIC contact us:

General enquiries: 07889 72840

Email: info@epicleeds.org.uk

Web: www.epicleeds.org.uk

Exclusions

The behaviour officer gives impartial advice, information and guidance to parents and carers of children and young people who have been excluded, or are at risk of exclusion, from school (fixed term or permanent), and impartial advice around behavioural issues in school.

What we can do

• Listen to your questions and concerns
• Provide you with information about exclusions
• Meet with you in your home to offer face-to-face advice and information
• Attend school meetings and visits
• Signpost you to other services who can help
• Provide a trained volunteer for support at meetings if you want one

How to refer to the behaviour officer

If your child has been permanently excluded from school, Children Leeds will pass on your contact details and the behaviour officer will contact you to offer advice and support about this process. This is a confidential service, and what you say will not be shared with others.

If your child is excluded for a fixed period, you can contact the behaviour officer to discuss your rights and responsibilities.

Helpline: 0113 395 1200
General enquiries: 0113 395 1222
Email: education.pps@leeds.gov.uk

Choice Advice Service

The Choice Advice Service is an independent service that provides parents and carers with impartial advice, support, help and information for children and young people starting secondary school in year 7.

Thinking about the transfer to secondary school when your child is in year 5, will give you more time to think over all your options and to prepare you and your child for the change.

Choice Adviser can offer you impartial advice and support based on available information, but cannot make the decision for you or guarantee you a place at your preferred school.

What we can do

• Listen to your questions and concerns
• Provide you with information about the schools in your area
• Inform you about the various admissions policies for the different types of schools
• Arrange school visits
• Help you to fill in the necessary forms (preference forms, in-year preference forms)
• Explain what will happen when you have made your decision
• Advise you on what you can do if you do not get your preferred school
• Provide advice on the appeals process and help you with the forms
• Provide Independent Parent Advisers (trained volunteers) to support and advocate at appeal hearings

How to refer to the Choice Advice Service

If you need advice, support or information about your child starting secondary school then please contact us. The service is independent and confidential, and what you say will not be shared with others.

You can arrange to meet a Choice Adviser at your home, school, or another suitable venue. We also offer advice over the telephone, or you can email us with your questions.

Direct phone line: 0113 395 0596
General enquiries: 0113 3951225
Mobile: 07891 275563
Email: choice.advice@leeds.gov.uk