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Parental Supporters Information
- Are you good at communicating?
- Are you interested in helping children with special educational needs?
- Could you give support to a parent?
If the answer is yes, why not volunteer to become an Independent Parental Supporter?
What is an Independent Parental Supporter - IPS?
An IPS is someone who can offer support and help to parents of children identified as having special educational needs. They act as knowledgeable friends to help parents consider their options and express their views whilst their child's special educational needs are being addressed.
This can often be a stressful time for the families involved. The aim of our Parent Partnership Service is to recruit and train volunteers to understand the procedures and act as IPSs.
How can an Independent Parental Supporter help parents?
This voluntary work is varied and interesting, involving a mixture of practical and interpersonal skills, including the ability to:
- Listen
- Help parents to understand the assessment process
- Assist with letter and report writing
- Give parents confidence to express their own views
- Visit schools and attend meetings with parents
- Help parents to draw up a profile of their child
- Obtain further information
- Remain calm and reassuring
What will the Parent Partnership Service provide to volunteers?
- Free training and 24-hour contact time
- Travel expenses
- Insurance
- Guidelines on how to support parents
- Ongoing support and supervision
- Opportunities to develop and enhance interpersonal skills in communication, listening and negotiating
What will Parent Partnership expect from you?
- Reliability and trust
- Confidentiality
- Committment
- To have no potential clash of interest
- A willingness to learn
An Independent Parental Supporter will not:
- Impose their own views on parents
- Make decisions for parents
- Represent parents in their absence
Who are we looking for?
Ideally, you will have some experience of children with special educational needs. This could be as a parent, support assistant or in any other capacity. Knowledge of a second language can also be an advantage.
Contact us
If you would like to find out more about this role call 0118 908 8233 or email parent.partnership@wokingham.gov.uk.
