Impartiality Policy 2010
The Special Educational Needs Code of Practice (2001) states that Parent Partnership Services must ensure that local parents are provided with:
'accurate, neutral information on their rights, roles and responsibilities within the SEN process, and on the wide range of options available, to enable them to make informed decisions.' (SEN Code of Practice 2001:26)
For parents/carers to have confidence in the Service all staff and volunteers are required to operate impartially that is not favouring one person more than another, making every endeavour to be fair and unbiased.
Aim
The Stoke on Trent Parent Partnership Service (PPS) is an 'in house' service that operates at 'arms length' from the local authority. The services aims to be impartial in all its dealings, not favouring any person or party more than another, but striving to be fair and unbiased, whilst presenting factual information and guidance in order to bring about a resolution to the issues with which it is presented.
Service Mission Statement
By effective, impartial and confidential partnership working we aim to promote a culture of communication and cooperation between parents/carers, the LA and voluntary and statutory organisations for the benefit of all children and young people with special educational needs. Through reconciliation we serve to lower or remove barriers of misunderstandings. We actively work with parent/carers and value parental contributions. We seek to empower parents/carers to play an active and informed role in their child/young person's education.
Demonstrating Impartiality
The Parent Partnership Practice Guide (Stone, 2004:20) states that an impartial stance is demonstrated by:
- reflecting the perspectives and wishes of parents
- being seen not to have a vested interest in the outcome of any discussions
- ensuring that staff and volunteers who attend decision-making meetings are clear whether their role is:
- to support or represent an individual.
- to contribute and discuss on strategic issues.
- to participate in making decisions.
Location of Service
The Service is located away from the LA and SEN teams. The Service actively minimises barriers to access by having a central parent/carer meeting room and three additional satellite meeting room's city wide. The main office is located at the South end of the city. Protocols are in place at all the locations to ensure confidentiality at all times.
Relationship with the LA
Stoke-on-Trent Parent Partnership Service is an "in house" service. It is funded by the LA. The LA recognises and respects the need for the Service to operate at "arms length" from the LA. To raise parent/carer confidence in the Service the Stoke-on-Trent PPS has:
- a Service Level Agreement with the LA
- independent confidential recording systems
- its own distinct identity, including a Service logo, strap line and style
- premises that are based away from the LA or any SEN teams
- its own dedicated web site
- its own direct line, answer phone and email contact
The Steering Group
The Steering group has representation from a number of services and professionals involved with parents and young people with additional needs. The group includes parents who have been involved with the Service and who are well placed for providing a parental perspective on its effectiveness in service delivery.
The Chair and Vice Chair are independent of the LA and are elected by the group. Meetings are currently chaired by a member of the voluntary sector. Nominations are sought by the Chair from amongst the membership at the first meeting of each academic year and the chair will then serve for the remainder of that year.
The dates of the meetings are published. At each meeting, reports are presented by the manager followed by discussion and an exchange of views. Minutes are taken at each meeting and are circulated to all members; approval of the minutes is sought at the next meeting. Action points, noted in the minutes, are acted upon by the relevant people within agreed timescales. Outcomes of the Steering Group meetings are freely available.
The role of the Steering group is:
- to have a clear understanding with the LA on the role of the Service
- to promote a culture of challenge and support both to the PPS and the LA in it's service delivery and it's arrangements for maintaining impartiality
- help the Service to develop partnership with, and communication between, all parties
- to offer views and advice to inform the policies and practices of the service
- to review and comment on information including the development plan produced by the PPS and monitor the effectiveness of service delivery
- acknowledge the potential for conflict between the role of the Service as part of the LA and the role of the Service in empowering and supporting parents
Supporting Parents
The practical implications for the service delivery are:
- The Service will reflect the views and concerns of parents/carers and parent support groups either during meetings or telephone calls to education settings, the LA and other relevant agencies whilst, at the same time, ascertaining the views of professionals involved.
- The Service will ensure that parents/carers and practitioners clearly understand the role of the PPS. Where possible, and circumstances permit, staff will state their role at the beginning of meetings they attend in order to clarify the position taken.
- The Service will ensure that staff are well trained and able to support the partnership approach.
- Staff who may hold positions associated with the school (such as school governor or clerk to the governors) will not work with parents at the same school; on such occasions another member of staff may assist the family.
- Where possible staff will not assist parents that they already know; casework will be passed to another member of staff.
- PPS staff will signpost parents/carers to other agencies and will establish through it's web site a range of local and national organisations that offer advise , support and information relating to SEN and Disability.
- The Service will ensure that a wide range of information from both local and national organisations along with 'in house' publications is available to parents/carers on request.
Training
The Parent Partnership Service will ensure access to high quality training in current and relevant education law, policy and practice in relation to Special Educational Needs for all staff and volunteers.
Individual supervision will be made available for all staff and volunteers.
Liaising with Professionals
The role of the Service is to empower parents by providing them with information, advice and guidance that includes relevant national legislation and its application through local policies, as well as helping them to understand any decisions they ultimately take. Parent Partnership Service staff request consent from parents/carers to act as an intermediary in relaying parental perspective to education settings, local authority or relevant professionals. This does not indicate bias in the favour of the parent, nor does it represent the views of PPS staff.
Effectiveness
- The Policy will be sent out to all parents/carers on their initial referral to the Service.
- A copy of the Policy will be displayed on the PPS web site and copies will be available on request.
- The Policy will be part of an induction programme for all new staff and volunteers.
- The Policy will be made known to all agencies that engage with the Service.
- All staff will be expected to adhere to the principles set out in the Policy.
Monitoring
- The Policy will be monitored on a daily basis by the Parent Partnership Coordinator.
- Feedback from user questionnaires will indicate service satisfaction.
- The Steering Group will be required to monitor the impartiality of the Service.
- The Policy will be reviewed annually by the Steering Group.