BPC Impact Report_2023_24 : simplebooklet.com

Case Study"Nic who is now 15, was assigned female at birth but identifies as non-binary. During Nic'syounger years, their struggles were not apparent at school or around other family members.However, they often experienced severe meltdowns at home and over time, they beganinternalising their emotions, leading to significant deterioration in their mental health.Following their diagnosis of Autism, ADHD, anxiety and sensory processing issues, their school directed us to seek support from the BPC Forum. Participating in the workshop was a revelation for me. The content was both engaging andrelevant, with the discussion on the 'arousal curve' serving as a particular 'aha' moment.Understanding why Nic experiences sudden meltdowns with no apparent triggers was a relief,as it reassured me that I was not misinterpreting my child's behaviour. It also provided insightsinto various behavioural aspects and enabled me to delve deeper into understanding Nic'sneeds. Armed with newfound knowledge and confidence, I have become a more effective advocatefor Nic's needs at school. I am better equipped to communicate their challenges, such asrunning out of class or struggling to focus, to teachers. Conversations with the school nowfocus on addressing Nic's unmet needs rather than questioning their behaviour. In the past, my visits to the GP regarding Nic's difficulties left me feeling overwhelmed anddoubtful of my abilities. Now, armed with knowledge, I feel more assured and less neurotic.This has had a positive impact on my mental health and confidence. I'm eager to participate in more BPC Forum online sessions for ongoing support and to attendfurther workshops, as I continue to learn and grow in my understanding of Nic's needs." Rachel first connected with Bristol Parent Carers (BPC) while seeking assistance for her child,Nic, who has complex needs. Participating in the 'Understanding Behaviour Workshop' provedtransformative, offering Rachel deeper insights into Nic's challenges and equipping her withthe tools to advocate effectively for their needs, both within the school environment andbeyond. Rachel & Nic*Stock image. Real names have not been used. 2

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W H O W E A R EWe are a registered charity based inBristol. Founded in 2011 by parents ofchildren with Special EducationalNeeds and Disabilities (SEND), we existto capture the parent carer voice toensure it is used effectively in co-production efforts with local SENDservices across education, health andsocial care. After the challenges posed by theCOVID-19 pandemic, we recognisedthe need for modernisation andstrengthening. So in January 2022,four new trustees were elected tooversee the charity and registrationwith the Charities Commission as aCharitable Incorporated Organisation(CIO) was completed in February 2022. Today, we are primarily run bydedicated volunteers alongside asmall team of part-time staff. BPCrepresentatives fully grasp thecomplexities of the SEND landscapebecause we are all parent carersourselves. Making use of our first-hand lived experience we offerinvaluable insights, guidance andpractical tips to enhance otherfamilies' experiences of local SEND systems. O U R M I S S I O NOur mission is to empower families ofchildren and young people with SEND(aged 0-25) by ensuring their voices arecentral to every decision and SEND policyin Bristol, while providing them with theknowledge and confidence to navigatelocal SEND systems so that they feelsupported at every step and can achievethe best outcomes for their child andfamily.O U R V A L U E SWe will have by beingi in everything we do, bybeing about who we are andhow we do things, ofeveryone we work with andabout what we can achieve. integritytransparenthonestrespectfulrealisticOur story so far3

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We have also played a key role in co-leading the Neurodiversity Transformation Project inpartnership with the Bristol, North Somerset andSouth Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board, alongwith parent carer forums from North Somerset andSouth Gloucestershire. This multi-year project aimsto significantly improve the referral processes forAutism and ADHD, creating a more streamlinedand supportive experience for families.As Chair of Trustees of Bristol Parent Carers I ampleased to present our annual Impact Report. Thisyear has been a remarkable journey, filled with bothsignificant achievements and substantial challenges.Our primary goal remains unwavering: to supportand empower families of children with SpecialEducational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) byproviding comprehensive resources, peer supportand collaborating with local SEND service providersacross education, health and social care in Bristol. Our goals for this year focused on enhancing peer-to-peer support services, expanding communityengagement and building strong relationships withlocal service providers. We aimed to increase thereach of our school-based SEND sessions, improveour digital presence, provide resources in morelanguages and develop robust monitoring andevaluation systems. Service Reach: In 2023/24 we doubled school-based sessions and added new community andonline peer support groups. Volunteer Growth: Our volunteer base hasexpanded, with all of our volunteers being parentcarers who are passionate about supporting thecommunity.Digital Presence: Our Facebook community nowexceeds 2,000 members, offering a vital platformfor information sharing and support, and wehave a new website under development.Message from our chairKey Projects and Collaborative AchievementsOne of our key initiatives is the Partnership forInclusion and Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS), a pilot project bringing together parent carers, localauthorities and health SEND practitioners to enhancesupport for neurodivergent pupils in 20 Bristolschools. Schools were selected city-wide to ensureinclusive access, with funding from NHS England andthe Department for Education.Strengthening Co-Production in SEND ServicesOver the past year we have worked closely withBristol City Council and the Integrated Care Boardto develop a Co-Production Charter, ensuring thatco-production methods are clearly defined anddeeply embedded within every SEND service. Inaddition, a Memorandum of Understanding,formalising how Bristol Parent Carers willcollaborate with local education, health and socialcare services to drive positive change, is in the finaldraft stages. Both will soon be available on ourwebsite and on the local offer pages.Shaping the Future with the SEND StrategyMost recently, we have completed our work on adraft four-year SEND strategy, which outlines 54targeted actions for improvement across six keypriority areas. This ambitious strategy is set to drivetransformative improvements, benefiting children,young people and families across Bristol byenhancing the quality and consistency of SENDservices.4In March 2024 BPC came runners up, along withSouth Glos and North Somerset Parent Carer forums,for the Co-Production Award (Parents/Carers) at theNational SEND awards in London.Key Points and Projects: As always, I am truly thankful for our amazing teamand the incredible families we have the honour of working with.A heartfelt thank you for your continued support.Hayley Hemming

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Priority GoalsBristol SEND landscape16% receive SEN support national average 13.6%14,58820.6% pupils with SENnational average 18.4%51.8%of SEND children are inmainstream educationpupils have an Education,Health & Care Plan (EHCP)11,3454,382We think it's important to share the current landscape of SEN in Bristol. As of Jan 2024, there were 70,774 pupils enrolled in Bristol schools: 14,588 have some form of special educational need (20.6%)11,345 receive some form of support or intervention (16%)4,382 school-aged children have an EHCP (a legal document statingthe support they require) (4.6%)Of those 4,382 pupils with an EHCP:1,898 are in mainstream education (43.3%)1,325 are in special school/college (30.2%)71 are in alternative learning provision (ALP) (1.6%), which is a 34%increase from 2023368 are in education other than school, eg. home education (8.4%) 720 are unknown or children missing education (16.4%) In Bristol, rates of SEN support are higher in secondary education than inprimary school. Bristol NationalPrimary 17.7% 17.1%Secondary 20.1% 15.6%A 2023 Cabinet Office's Disability Unit report found that pupils with SENDface several barriers, including needs not being identified early enough ornot at all. It found children were often waiting too long to get help andsometimes not until they've reached crisis. Research consistently demonstrates the challenges faced contribute to increased exclusion rates from educational settings whichdisproportionately affects certain community groups. 5

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What we doA peer-to-peer support session is a gathering whereparent carers of children with SEND come together toshare experiences, offer mutual support andexchange practical advice. These sessions can be in-person or online, providing a safe space forparticipants to discuss challenges, learn from eachother and build a supportive community. Training sessions are specialised workshopsdesigned to equip parent carers of children with SENDwith the knowledge and skills they need to navigatetheir unique challenges. These sessions cover a rangeof topics, such as managing specific disabilities,understanding educational rights and accessing localresources, all aimed at empowering families toadvocate effectively for their children.Co-production involves collaborative efforts betweenparent carers and service providers to design anddeliver services for children with SEND. This approachensures that the voices of families are integral to thedecision-making process, leading to services that aremore responsive to their needs, fostering a sense ofshared responsibility and partnership in achievingpositive outcomes.Peer-to-peer supportPractitioner-led guidance & support Co-production6

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Case StudySophia & BenIn his final year of primary school, Ben's mother Sophia contacted his class teacher and amember of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Team after reviewing hisschool support plan. Despite knowing he had difficulties with the National Curriculum, Sophiawas shocked to learn that Ben was predicted to fail all his Year 6 SATS exams. She felt theschool had not communicated the severity of his challenges earlier and had low expectationsfor him. Ben struggled to go to school every morning, often breaking down in tears and findingthe work too difficult. This anxiety was distressing for Sophia as Ben was usually confident andhappy at home but regularly had meltdowns after school. Sophia became increasingly worriedabout how he would cope with the transition to secondary school, where the demands wouldbe much greater.Feeling lost and desperate to understand her son's struggles, Sophia hoped to work with hisschool to identify the underlying issues and appropriate interventions. However, the schoolcouldn't provide answers, leaving her feeling helpless. Attending a Bristol Parent Carer Forumcoffee morning transformed her experience, providing valuable insights, support andresources. Connecting with other parents and gaining information from BPCF empoweredSophia to advocate for Ben's specific needs and communicate effectively with his school.The EP assessment diagnosed Ben with dyslexia and dyscalculia, revealing the reasons for hisdifficulties. This information allowed Sophia to improve Ben's support plan and secure accessarrangements for his Year 6 SATS. Sophia gained confidence through Bristol Parent CarerForum's webinars, enabling her to advocate for Ben's needs. Her engagement with otherparents at coffee mornings further bolstered her confidence, leading her to volunteer withBPCF. Eventually, Sophia secured the necessary support for Ben, helping him reach hispotential in a suitable setting. Now, Sophia works part-time with Bristol Parent Carers,continuing to support other families.*Stock image. Real names have not been used. 11

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Looking aheadAs we move forward, Bristol Parent Carers is focused on building a sustainable organisationso that we can reach more families and make a bigger difference within the SEND community.We will continue to build on the success of our peer-to-peer support sessions and informationprogrammes, whilst also expanding our volunteer team, building stronger relationships withlocal schools and improving how we keep track of the impact we are making through robustmonitoring systems. This will help ensure our support is relevant, effective and truly meets theneeds of families.We are committed to making co-production a core part of every SEND service in Bristol. Toachieve this, we are working closely with the voluntary and community sectors as part of ourFriends of the Forum initiative to develop a four-year plan that will improve support for families.We will also be working with Bristol City Council and the Bristol, North Somerset, SouthGloucestershire Integrated Care Board to contribute to actions needed, to support the localSEND Strategic Plan. Our goal is to ensure parent carer voices are at the heart of everydecision, driving changes that lead to the best possible outcomes for families and children.We want to grow our team of peer support volunteers who are passionate about connectingwith families and sharing their lived experiences. This will help us reach even more families,particularly those from diverse backgrounds, so every family feels understood and supported.We are also looking at ways to offer more support for mental health needs, providing practicaladvice and peer support for those families.We are incredibly hopeful for the future and excited about what is to come. Together, we willbuild an even stronger community, where every family feels heard, valued and supported.Our commitment to working in partnership and putting families at the centre of everything wedo will create positive, lasting change. With our dedicated volunteers, our growing network ofpartners and the continued support of the parent carer community, we believe we can make areal difference and create brighter, more inclusive futures for every child and young person inBristol.12

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Pebbles Angell Parent Voice & Engagement CoordinatorSusie CarnabyParent Voice FacilitatorSian MorganHead of Community Support & EngagementOur TeamShaista YaqubAdministrator & Peer SupportLavinia KingParent Voice Facilitator & EDI Lead NEW ROLENEW ROLENEW ROLENEW ROLENEW ROLENEW ROLENEW ROLENEW ROLENEW ROLENEW ROLEAmelia DonaldAdministrator & MarketingTracy JudgePeer Support - East SarafinaPeer Support Bank StaffTracy BaggottPeer Support - South Claire MitchellFinance AssistantGaynorPeer Support & Co-Production VolunteerLouise ParkerPeer Support - North & Parent VoiceNaomiCo-Production VolunteerKellyPeer Support & Co-Production VolunteerHarrietPeer Support & Co-Production Volunteer 24 PARENT CARER VOLUNTEERSRachelPeer Support Volunteer13NayanaPeer Support & Co-Production Volunteer

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