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Our mission is to support families in our community by creating welcoming spaces where parents and carers can connect, share experiences, and access valuable information. We do this through relaxed drop-in coffee mornings, informative sessions with guest speakers, and practical training events.
According to the SEN Code of Practice (2015), parent carer forums are “representative groups of parents and carers of children and young people with disabilities who work alongside Local Authorities, Education, Health and other service providers to ensure that the services they plan, commission, deliver and monitor meet the needs of children and families.”
At Gateshead PCF, our steering group of parent and carer volunteers actively listens to the wider community to understand what’s working well, what could be improved, and where service gaps exist. We then work strategically with the local authority to help shape and enhance services, ensuring the needs of children and young people aged 0–25 are met.
We are committed to empowering local families by sharing knowledge, offering guidance, signposting and peer support. By coming together as a united voice, we ensure that children and families are placed at the heart of service planning, delivery, and review—and that their voices are truly heard.
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Kids’ Events
We run a variety of events for SEND children throughout the year, including a summer soft play party, sensory theatre sessions, a teen party, and a Christmas soft play party. All event dates will be shared on our website blog and Facebook page. Please register as a member to access free tickets.
Carers Week
Each year during Carers Week, we host a special event for parent carers in Gateshead. Therapists from Gateshead College join us to offer a range of relaxing treatments, and we put on a delicious buffet for everyone to enjoy. It’s a lovely chance to unwind and spend time with other parent carers in the community. Please contact us if you have any questions about this event.
Your Voice Matters for SEND Families
At the heart of our community, we Gateshead Parent Carer Forum bring together parents and carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) across Gateshead. We offer drop-in coffee mornings, speaker-events and training in a relaxed, welcoming space, so you don’t journey this path alone.
We also ensure that local services hear and act on your experiences by gathering your feedback and working with education, health and social-care professionals. By becoming a member you’ll be first to hear about consultations, events and opportunities to influence support for your family. Together, we can shape stronger, more inclusive services and communities for everyone.
