INDEPENDENT PARENTAL SUPPORTERS (IPS)

Independent Parental Supporters are volunteers who can help and support individual parents through the SEN process. An IPS is someone who is independent of decision-making professionals, and therefore has no conflict of interest that could influence their capacity to advise the parent.

Support from an Independent Parental Supporter can include:

• Assisting parents/carers in communicating with schools and other services involved with their child
• Accompanying parents/carers to meetings or reviews
• Helping parents to put their views in writing
• Reading through and discussing written documents, for example, letters from the LA, draft statements and advice
• Explaining the SEN Process
• Providing a ‘listening ear’ for parents

All parents whose child has been identified as having special educational needs can have access to an IPS if they feel it would be helpful.

Rotherham Parent Partnership has a register of trained IPSs and is responsible for parental referrals. These are only made with parents’ prior knowledge and agreement.

The Parent Partnership Service recruits IPSs and provides training to ensure that they are kept up to date with all relevant aspects of SEN policy and procedures so they can fulfil their role effectively.

Last updated on September 5, 2006