Gateshead Parent Carer Forum is an organised volunteer group of parents and carers of disabled children and young people who have a variety of special educational needs and disabilities living across the Gateshead borough.

Our aim is to support parents and carers of children and young people with SEND in our community, we do that by coming together in a relaxed atmosphere, having a drop in coffee morning, information sessions with invited speakers and training events.

We also aim to make sure that services within Gateshead meet the needs of disabled/SEN children and their families. We do this by gathering the views of local families and by working closely with our local authority, health, education and social care professionals, as well as other agencies to provide active parent participation on a strategic level to help influence and shape the development and delivery of the services our children, young people and families access. We will highlight where local services, processes and commissioners are working well, or challenge when changes or improvements need to be made.

Membership of the forum will ensure you are aware of consultations and events in our area and that your voice is heard in reviewing and developing service to meet the needs of our children and families.