Salford Parent and Carer Forum is gearing up to hold its annual SEND information day this March, aimed at “building awareness, community and tackling isolation often felt by families with children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.”
Salford Parent and Carer Forum is a non-profit organisation run by big-hearted volunteers working to support families of children and young people with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities).
Each year, the company invites a range of professionals and services who provide specialist help for young people to a SEND information day, where parents can find out which provisions may work best for their children in a “safe and inclusive environment.”
On Saturday, 21 March, around 50 organisations will descend on the CorpAcq stadium in Eccles to help families access education, health care, social care or activities in the community.
Viv Omrod, the Chair of Salford Parent Carer Forum, explained that the event doubles as a chance for young people to try fun activities they may be interested in, as parents chat to experts and organisations about services on offer and share their views about SEND services.
“We’ve got face painters and balloon modellers and VR headsets and the youth service over there showcasing some activities,” Viv explained.
“It’s so nice for the kids to experience things that they might not have done before or try and escape.”
Meanwhile, SEND services will be canvassing opinions about the ways they can improve the help they provide.
Viv said: “Parents can talk about what it’s like being on a waiting list and then services can go away and improve things or change the way that they offer services and information to families as a result.
“It’s a community that comes together to share services, offer support, and guidance. The event is an opportunity for these services to hear from families and, without a doubt, their feedback has made a difference.”
She explained that tangible changes have been made from the feedback relayed by parents at the event: “We work with services to make sure that information is shared. We rewrote some courses for parents and carers that are now delivered pre-diagnosis rather than post-diagnosis. So, now, support can come at an earlier time for parent carers.”
Viv added: “We will have services like CAMHS, Speech and Language, Educational Psychology, to name just a few. We also have Wheels for all who offer bikes for children and young people with disabilities.”
She explained that the event has grown steadily since it first launched in 2023.
“When we started originally, we had about 30 services and each year we have supported more parents who come, with more professionals wanting to jump on board.
“People hear about the event and really want to support families in the best way they can.”
The Salford Parent and Carer Forum’s annual SEND information event will take place at the CorpAcq stadium in Eccles, and will run from 11:30 am until 2:30pm. More information is available on the organisation’s website.
