What We’re Here For
Our forum is a Parent Carers group built on shared experience, mutual support, and the belief that children and their families thrive when they’re listened to, understood, and included. Whether you’re navigating education, health, social care, or simply trying to balance everyday life, this is a place where your voice matters.
We bring parent carers together to share knowledge, strengthen confidence, and influence positive change for children and young people with additional needs.
By working in partnership with local services and listening closely to families, we aim to make support more accessible, respectful, and responsive.
What We’re Here For
Our forum is a Parent Carers group built on shared experience, mutual support, and the belief that children and their families thrive when they’re listened to, understood, and included. Whether you’re navigating education, health, social care, or simply trying to balance everyday life, this is a place where your voice matters.
We bring parent carers together to share knowledge, strengthen confidence, and influence positive change for children and young people with additional needs.
By working in partnership with local services and listening closely to families, we aim to make support more accessible, respectful, and responsive.
About us
Who are we?
We are a group of parents, carers and grandparents of children with Special Education Needs and/or disabilities.
Who do we work for?
No-one! We represent parent/carers, but are entirely independent of any statutory organisation and we are all volunteers.
Are we paid by the local council?
No, we are funded by the Department for Education.
Are we just another support group?
No, we are a participation group, but we will try and signpost you to a support group.
Are we a campaign group?
No, but we acknowledge the important role that campaign groups have in helping to get parent voice heard. At the forum we are happy to work with campaign groups by providing them information and feeding back the issues they raise.
So, what do we do then?
We promote parent voice through participation and co-production. Co-production is parents and professionals working jointly together to develop, decide, design and do equal partners. Participation is Parents and Professionals working in groups to decided what should happen and to shape services. We sit on working groups with statutory organisations. We also run coffee mornings and events to allow opportunities for families to get together, see what help and support is out there, and feedback their experiences. The forum also provides information and training for families.
What can I do, I’m ‘just’ a mam/dad/grandparent!
You are an expert in your child and know what they need. Join us at our events and coffee mornings to add your voice and experiences. There may also be further chance to be more involved, contact us to find out more.
Championing Real SEND Voices
We’re a volunteer-led community of parents, carers and grandparents of children with SEND. Independent and funded by the Department for Education, we work with professionals to influence and improve local services through true participation and co-production. Through coffee mornings, events and working groups, we gather real experiences and amplify parent voice. Your lived experience matters—join us and help shape change.
Valuing Parent Expertise
The video highlights the vital role parent carer forums play in making sure services truly reflect the experiences of the families they support. That same approach is at the heart of Gateshead Parent Carer Forum. We bring parents, carers and grandparents together to share insight, influence decision-making and work alongside professionals to shape better SEND services for children and young people in our community.
Through co-production, regular discussions and local engagement, we ensure real voices guide how support is designed and delivered. By taking part—whether through coffee mornings, events or surveys—you help create meaningful change. Your lived experience has power, and when families come together, we make Gateshead’s SEND services stronger, more inclusive and more responsive for everyone.
Testimonials
