Voice & Influence Work
Would you like to help shape the future of SEND services in Rotherham?
Whether you can give a little time or a lot, your voice and experience
matters.
To find out more or to volunteer, please contact:
Kayleigh Harrison (Voice, Influence & Engagement Lead)
Your Voice Matters
Why Your Voice is Important
Why Your Voice is Important
At Rotherham Parent Carer Forum, we believe that every family’s voice and journey matters. Our aim is to make sure that families of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND, 0-25 years) are welcomed, listened to, valued and included when decisions are made about services in Rotherham. We work across Health, Education, Social Care, and the Voluntary Sector to make sure families’ views are heard everywhere that matters to our members.
Why Your Voice is Important
Why Your Voice is Important
Why Your Voice is Important
Real change starts with our real stories. That’s why we collect and share the living experiences of SEND families in Rotherham. Your stories show what’s working well and what needs to improve. We share this information (anonymously) with the people who plan and deliver services, so they can make things better for our families living with SEND across Rotherham. We also work closely with Rotherham’s neurodivergent community (all age) to make sure voice is at the heart of local change.
How We Hear Your Voice
Why Your Voice is Important
How We Hear Your Voice
We collect feedback in lots of different ways, such as:
- Talking with families every day and spotting common themes across all our events and groups.
- Chatting with you on our social media pages.
- Running small group discussions and meetings about topics important to you.
- Creating safe and friendly spaces where people can explore their priorities and share what matters most to them.
This ongoing engagement helps us build a clear picture of what families are experiencing and what they need right now.
Setting Our Priorities
Why Your Voice is Important
How We Hear Your Voice
In March 2025, through our parent priority survey, our members identified the most important areas to focus on this year. These 9 priorities have now been adopted into the workplan of the Rotherham
SENDAP Partnership Board. We also hear emerging issues for families throughout the year make those a priority, listening to what is important to you and may need urgent attention from services.
Over 12 months, our Voice and Influence team will work on each area and keep you updated as things move forward.
Here’s our plan for the year based on what you told us:
Here’s our plan for the year based on what you told us:
Here’s our plan for the year based on what you told us:
- April/May – EHCPs (Education, Health and Care Plans)
- June/July – SEN Education (support in schools and special education)
- August/September – Access to Therapies & Waiting Times
- October/November – Mental Health & Wellbeing (for children, young people, and parent carers)
- January/February – Preparing for Adulthood (PFA)
- February/March – Clear and Accessible Information
- April – Annual Parent Priorities Survey
Working Together
Here’s our plan for the year based on what you told us:
Here’s our plan for the year based on what you told us:
We believe the best way to make lasting change is by working in equal partnership with practitioners, services, settings and local decision makers.
Our work is guided by our Four Cornerstones:
- Welcome & Care
- Value & Include
- Communication
- Equal Partnership.
You can learn more about this approach, how it was developed by and for Rotherham families, here: https://genuinepartnerships.co.uk/
Together, we can work towards making sure every child and young person in Rotherham gets the right support at the right time, helping them to reach their full potential.
Our Work Across the Country
Here’s our plan for the year based on what you told us:
Our Work Across the Country
We don’t just work in Rotherham; we also share your experiences at regional and national levels. Through the National Network of Parent Carer Forums (NNPCF), we help shape services and policies across the country. www.nnpcf.org.uk
So, by being part of RPCF, you’re lending your voice and experience to creating positive changes locally, regionally and nationally.
Thank You
Here’s our plan for the year based on what you told us:
Our Work Across the Country
A huge thank you to all our members - no change is possible without you. And thank you to the many practitioners we work alongside, who share our passion for getting it right for SEND families.
Together, We Make a Difference.