Listening to parents: SEND inclusion in mainstream schools event

On February 28, 2024, Councillor Zena Brabazon, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families, alongside leaders in Children's Services, Haringey Education Partnership, and headteachers from various schools, gathered for a joint event with SEND Power. The focus of the event was on SEND inclusion in mainstream schools.

We appreciate the engagement and contributions of the parents/carers who joined this event and passionately shared their experiences and struggles.

The panel of Headteachers from St John Vianney Catholic Primary, Alexandra Primary School, Stroud Green Primary School and Nursery, The Brook Special Primary School, Lancasterian Primary School, and Earlsmead Primary represented their families of schools and their school clusters, called Network Learning Communities (NLC), addressing questions and noting parents' concerns.

Cllr Brabazon and Children Services' leaders remained available after the event to engage directly with parents, listening to their issues and experiences and undertaking actions to follow up.

We hope that such events will continue to foster collaboration and our ongoing work of co-producing a more equitable and efficient system.

SEND Power, an independent parent carer forum in Haringey plays a vital role in representing the voices of parents/carers of children with SEND. In partnership with Children's Services and Councillor Brabazon, they organise engagement events once a term focused on key topics, serving as "listening events" where parents/carers can openly share experiences with stakeholders in the SEND system.

Amanda Bernard, Chair of SEND Power, says:

SEND Power is about empowering parents and carers to make informed decisions on the care and support required for their children and young people. By working collaboratively with the local authority, parents can have their say and reflect the reality of the lives of SEND families within the borough, making changes for all.

Councillor Brabazon is committed to ongoing collaboration with SEND Power to ensure parents' views are heard and represented. Visit the SEND Power website (external link) for more information and to find out about future engagement events.