Our Vision | Derby City Parent 1

What is a Parent Carer Forum

Every local authority area in England has its own Parent Carer Forum—over 150 in total—each led by parents and carers of children and young people SEND. These forums began in 2008 with support from the Department for Education, aiming to ensure that services across education, health, and social care reflect the real needs of families. By gathering and sharing lived experiences, Parent Carer Forums help shape local policy and practice, while also feeding into national discussions through the National Network of Parent Carer Forums (NNPCF)

About Derby SEND Voice

Derby SEND Voice was founded to provide a bridge between the parent and carers of children and young people with additional needs, and the people making the decisions that affect their families. We believe that the best way to inform positive change is by listening to the experience and knowledge of parent carers and working in co-production with the Local Authority, Health, Education and Social care. By attending strategic meetings, discussions and workshops, we give the collective voice of our members which is vital to the process of shaping services for SEND families in the City of Derby.

We are NOT a support group, but we WILL signpost to support

We will NOT work on individual cases, but we we WILL use the collective voice of the forum to effect change

We WILL offer free information sessions and workshops to empower parent carers to advocate for their families

we WILL organise social occasions for parent carers to meet and share their experiences with people that understand and

we WILL offer parent carers the opportunity to be involved in projects that could lead to a change in both local and national policy and services.

Our Vision

Our vision is for a future that supports positive change to create a city where every child and young person is accepted for the unique and wonderful individuals that they are.

We want our children and their families to feel represented and to enjoy a sense of belonging.

We wish for an inclusive system where children can access education to suit their individual needs. A city where young people feel supported into taking the next step in further education, the workplace and to independence.

We want to help create a place where our children and young people and their families are able to access services without a fight, and to feel understood, happy and free to reach their full potential and have access to the opportunities they deserve.

Our Mission

Our mission is to advocate for fair representation for SEND families and to make sure their voices are heard by policy makers in the Local Authority, Education, Health and Social care.

We aim to influence positive change and to empower parent carers in navigating the SEND landscape by offering signposting to resources, offering free training and workshops along with a supportive and understanding community.

Join us and help make positive change in Derby City

The more members we have, the stronger our collective voice becomes—bringing together a wider range of views, opinions, and lived experiences.

By joining Derby SEND Voice, you’ll be helping to shape a more inclusive and informed community. Membership is completely free, and there’s no obligation to participate unless you choose to. We’d love for you to consider becoming part of our growing network.