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

SENDIAS services and PCF’s – a working relationship

Tuesday 25^th March between 12:00 and 13:00 via Zoom.

Please email [email protected] ASAP if you would like to make us aware of any accessibility issues, so that we can assist your access to the session.

Description: Special Educational Needs and or Disability Information Advice and Support Services (SENDIASs) and parent carer forums both play a vital role in supporting improved outcomes for children and young people with SEND. Although very different in set up, funding and responsibilities- there is crossover in the work they do and the information they need to do that work and both services benefit hugely when they enjoy a positive, working relationship.

This online learning session, led by Tom Quilter, Programme Lead for the national network of SENDIAS services, aims to give an overview of SENDIAS services including their statutory duties and standards and a snapshot of the pressures services are under. It also aims to explore what a ‘good’ working relationship between a PCF and a SENDIASs might look like and the benefits that can bring to the services and ultimately the children, young people, families and professionals they work with.

Register in advance for this session taking place on Tuesday 25^th March 12:00 to 13:00 via Zoom.  https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/6ZBsbTk2Q3GGXx6nRxKiTA

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.

Grants online learning session

Wednesday 26th March 2025 between 12:00 and 13:00 via Zoom.

Please email [email protected] ASAP if you would like to make us aware of any accessibility issues, so that we can assist your access to the session.

Description: The grants team will guide you through the grant application and monitoring process providing helpful hints on how best to complete your application and monitoring forms and outlining any changes that have been made to the process this year. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions about anything you are unsure about.

Taking place on Wednesday 26^th March 2025 12:00 to 13:00 on zoom. Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/wkVZUXPsT-ipZ0hOALrFMg

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 session will uploaded to the parent carer participation YouTube channel and our Forum Resources page.

The Art of Effective conversations: Introducing a practical communication model

Tuesday 29^th April between 12:00 to 13:00 via Zoom.

Please email [email protected] 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 Clare Smale from Inspired 2 Learn. Learn more about the Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) communication model. How do you respond to and process information? How does this impact on the way in which you interact with others and how others are interacting with you? The model will help you to increase your flexibility in conversations. A great model for both professional and personal development that will support you to create rapport and trust.

This online learning session, led by EMCC Master Coach and Supervisor Clare Smale, aims to give an overview of the NLP Communication Model and how this can help you navigate conversations more effectively, especially difficult ones.  www.inspired2learn.co.uk www.clarethecoach.com

When: Tuesday 29^th April 12:00 to 13:00.  Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/HG5LW_o_RtmXTkbpGlYS4w

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 are regularly updated on this page.

After registering for a session, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting – as this is an automated email please check your ‘clutter’ or ‘spam’ folder where this email may be redirected.

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

Leading your forum Training programme

We are running a further free Leading your forum Training programme starting on Friday the 24^th January 2025.

Please book your place by emailing [email protected] and do include any accessibility issues so we can assist with accessing the sessions.  Participants will be sent the link a few days prior to the start of each session.

Please make sure you can attend all 6 sessions prior to booking. Places are limited to two parent carers per forum with a total of 20 places available.  Please check with your parent carer forum chair before booking.

The 6 sessions will run on zoom on Friday mornings from 9:30am to 12:00:

• 24^th Jan
• 31^st Jan
• 7^th Feb
• Pause for half term
• 28^th Feb
• 7^th March
• 14^th March

This training is suitable for:

• New Chairs, Co-Chairs or Directors of Forums or those who are looking to refresh or develop their Leadership skills
• 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

This session will be presented by Lara Roberts and Fazilla Amide 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

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 also limited to two people per parent carer forum. Early booking is essential.

Participants will need to commit to all 6 sessions though we understand if something crops up at the last minute that prevents you attending one.

Please book your place by emailing [email protected] and do include any accessibility issues so we can assist with accessing the sessions.  Participants will be sent the link a few days prior to the start of each session.

Parent Representative Training Programme

We’re running another free Parent Representative Training programme starting on  Monday 24^th February.  This will be run over 4 sessions so please make sure you can attend all 4 sessions before booking.

• Please emailing [email protected] and do include any accessibility needs so we can help you access the sessions. Participants will be sent the link a few days prior to the start of each session.
• email [email protected] ASAP if you would like to make us aware of any accessibility issues, so that we can assist your access to the session.
• Places are limited to two parent carers per forum with a total of 20 places available.  Please check with your parent carer forum chair before booking.

The sessions will run on zoom on 4 consecutive Mondays from 9.30 to 12.00 as follows:

• 24th February
• 3rd March
• 10th March
• 17th March   

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 by emailing [email protected] and do include any accessibility needs so we can help you access the sessions. Participants will be sent the link a few days prior to the start of each session.

Future online learning

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.

Please email [email protected] ASAP if you would like to make us aware of any accessibility issues, so that we can assist your access to a session.

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

2023-24 Joint face to face Conference recordings now available

The 2023-24 Contact & NNPCF joint face to face Conference took place on 29th February 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne. Recordings from sessions on the day and a highlights film are now available on our dedicated Conference page.

2023-24 Virtual Conference Recordings now available

We’re happy 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.

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.

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 happy to share recordings of the conference sessions and relevant presentations. You can view these 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. It’s possible to 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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