Learning & events for forums

Our upcoming learning and events for parent carer forums, from online learning sessions to the national Contact and NNPCF conference.

Upcoming events

Online learning sessions:

Self Evaluation Framework, Safety Valve and Delivering Better Value

Taking place on Wednesday 10 January from 12:00  to 13:00 via Zoom. The session will cover Self Evaluation Frameworks, Safety Valve and Delivering Better Value presented by Andre Imich from the DfE.

Please email parent.participation@contact.org.uk ASAP if you would like to make us aware of any accessibility issues, so that we can assist your access to the session.

Description: This session will be presented by Andre Imich, SEN and Disability Professional Adviser
 from the DFE and will cover:

Delivering Better Value and Safety Valve

• What they are
• What they’re expected to achieve
• Which local authorities are involved  
• Tiers and phases
• Funding available to local authorities
• The role of forums and how they should be involved.

Self Evaluation Framework

• What it is and why it’s important
• How PCFs should be involved
• Key indicators of a strong SEF

To register for the session please see the registrations details below;

You are invited to a Zoom meeting. When: Wednesday 10 January from 12:00 to 13:00. Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwufuGurz0rHtzA-hP_ds_uSaSkk102YFZS

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Please note if you are unable to attend on the day, a recording of the webinar session along with relevant documents will be available shortly after the webinar on our Resource Pages.

Future online learning sessions and courses are regularly updated on this page

2023-24 virtual conference recordings now available

We’re pleased to be able to share recordings from the November 2023 Contact & NNPCF Joint Virtual Conference which took place across 14, 15, and 16 November. See our dedicated conference page.

Leading Your Forum Training programme

Please find details below about the Leading Your Forum training programme starting on the 3^rd November 2023.

The programme consists of 6 training sessions running from 9.30am to 12 noon. Please make sure you can attend all 6 sessions prior to booking.

This training is suitable for:

• Experienced Chairs, Co-Chairs or Directors of Forums who are looking to develop their leadership skills further
• Forums who are looking at succession planning and want to develop someone from your team into a leadership role
• Anyone interested in understanding leadership in your area

The sessions will be facilitated by Fazilla Amide and Lara Roberts and will:

• increase your understanding of key principles and theories of effective leadership
• provide useful tools and strategies to take back to your steering group or management committee
• offer a unique opportunity to network with other Forum leaders, discuss challenges and opportunities
• share ideas and experiences of what works

All sessions will be run via zoom from 9.30 to 12 on the following dates:

• Friday 3^rd November
• Friday 10^th November
• Friday 17^th November
• Friday 24^th November
• Friday 1^st December
• Friday 8^th December

Ideally, you will attend with your Vice-Chair, Deputy or whoever is ready to take the next step up. Please make sure you can attend all sessions prior to booking. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Places are limited to two people per parent carer forum. Early booking is essential.

Please email parent.participation@contact.org.uk ASAP if you would like to make us aware of any accessibility issues, so that we can assist your access to the session.

To book your place please contact sarah.lee@contact.org.uk

Links will be sent to participants a week before the first session starts. Please note these sessions will not be recorded.

Parent Representative Training Programme

We’re delighted to be running another Parent Representative Training Programme. The training will start on the 15^th January from 9.30am to 12.30 and will continue for 3 further sessions so 4 sessions in total.

Please make sure you can attend all 4 sessions prior to booking. Places are limited to two parent carers per forum with a total of 20 places available.  Please ask your forum chair to authorise your place before booking. Bookings will be taken from 1^st November.

The sessions will all run on zoom on 4 consecutive Monday Mornings from 9.30am  to 12.30 :

• Monday 15^th January
• Monday 22^nd January
• Monday 29^th January
• Monday 5^th February

The sessions cover all you need to know about becoming a Parent Representative and is specifically for parent carers who are:

• New to your forum and thinking about getting more involved.
• Interested in becoming a parent rep to represent other parents’ views on strategic groups
• Already a Parent Rep and want to refresh their knowledge and to gain more confidence in the role
• Interested in learning more about the roles and responsibilities of a rep

This training will be facilitated by Fazilla Amide and Katie Clarke.

The course will help you to:

• increase your understanding of key principles and legislation around parent carer participation
• increase your understanding of how the SEND system works
• develop your confidence when participating in meetings
• help you gain a greater understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a parent rep
• offer a unique opportunity to network with other forum representatives
• help you communicate more effectively with parents and gather their feedback

Participants will need to commit to all 4 sessions though we understand if something crops up at the last minute that prevents you attending one.

Please book your place on or after 1^st November by emailing sarah.lee@contact.org.uk and do include any accessibility issues so we can assist with accessing the sessions. The link will be sent to participants a few days before the training.

Places are limited to two places per forum. Please ask your forum chair to authorise your attendance.

Further upcoming online learning sessions will be updated here as they become available. Please note that further information and resources for forums along with recently recorded online learning sessions are available on our Resource Pages.

Future online learning sessions and courses are regularly updated on this page.

2022-23 Face-to-face conference recordings now available

The face-to-face conference took place on 28^th February 2023 at the Double Tree by Hilton in Bristol City Centre. Many thanks to all of those who joined us in person and those who joined us via the live stream. The face-to-face conference included presentations from key partners including the Department for Education, Ofsted and NHS England. In addition, there was a Q&A panel and a workshop session to co-produce policy areas.

We are pleased to be able to share recordings of the conference sessions and relevant presentations. These can be viewed on our dedicated conference page.

New to online learning?

An online learning session is a presentation live on the internet. You will be able to hear presentations live, follow the slides and ask or submit questions for the presenters to answer.

You will need a home computer, laptop, tablet or smart phone. You can also join via telephone, although you won’t be able to see the presentation or submit questions.

Past online learning

Visit out resources page to view past online learning sessions which cover a range of topics

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