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 the advice they give.

Support from an Independent Parental Supporter can include:

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

Parents of children who have Special Educational Needs can ask for support from an Independent Parental Supporter if they feel it would be helpful.

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.

Rotherham Parent Partnership has a list of trained IPSs once agreed, the information given on referral to the Service will be passed onto an IPS to work with the parent.

 

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