Appeal for parents to help shape services for disabled children

6.40.11pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 13th Sep 2007

An appeal to parents and carers to get involved in shaping services for children with disabilities or learning difficulties has been issued by Richmond Council.

They are invited to a workshop at the Crossway Centre in Twickenham on Friday, 28 September, to find out how they can play an active role in the planning of services for their children. It will be run by voluntary organisations, Me too & Co and Contact a Family, working in partnership with the Council. The borough's head of services for children with disabilities and learning difficulties, Geraldine Herage, will be on hand to offer advice and information. The workshop, from 10.30am to 12 noon, will demonstrate how parent participation works in other local authorities and look at how practical issues can be raised and tackled. People will also be invited to set up a parent participation group in the borough.

Cllr Stephen Knight, Deputy Leader of Richmond Council, said: "We have made a commitment to improving services for children with disabilities and learning difficulties by working in partnership. Parents, carers and children must be at the heart of the decision-making process to ensure services meet their needs. This workshop will offer practical advice on how they can raise issues of concern and play an active role in overcoming them. I urge all parents of a child with a disability or learning difficulties to sign up for the workshop and help shape services in this borough."