How To Join PAT
PAT works at three different levels:-
We work at the local level to consult, mobilise, organise and advocate with local parents and our families. Recently we have chaired Sefton MBC's Disabled Children's Review Group. Currently we are collaborating with CVS Network South to raise the profile of parent participation in policy making.
We link into regional networks and we work together with regional organisations to build alliances and to achieve common objectives. Currently we are supporting the Cheshire and Merseyside Child Health Development Programme to introduce a GP Kitemarking scheme so that local GPs will work to common standards of care for disabled children.
We link in to national campaigns to improve the lives of parents and families and especially parents with disabled children. Currently we are working with the Every Disabled Child Matters coalition to help Sefton MBC to implement the Local Authority Charter for Children's Services; we are lobbying Parliament to provide breaks for parents and carers who have disabled children; and we are working with Sefton Primary Care Trust to implement the PCT charter.
PAT is also a member of the CVS Community Empowerment Network. Some PAT parents work as Independent Parent Supporters with Parent Partnership and some are also individual members of SOFAAS, SAAPS, Up-on-Downs, and PHAB.
Who can join?.... All parents who have children with special educational needs or children with disabilities are automatically entitled to join Parent Advocates Together (PAT) and everyone is made very welcome!
Why join PAT?... Parents with disabled children have come together to support each other and to make sure that their voice is heard. Joining PAT is an effective way of having YOUR opinion and YOUR issues taken into account! See our BBC campaign too. What does it cost to join PAT?... Membership is FREE!...Join our Supporters Club as well. Please use the PAT search page regularly too.
What can we do?...PAT parents have told us that the regular PAT support groups are an opportunity for parents to learn from each other. The best way to learn how to solve a problem is from someone who has already done it...PAT parents can also join the PAT work groups or participate in local action, regional networks and national campaigns...
What sort of people join PAT?...PAT members live all over the borough, our children are a diverse bunch with a variety of disabilities and special educational needs. Professionals who work with children are also welcome to join the PAT Advisory Board...
Tell us something about yourself and your family. What do you like doing? How would you like to help? What help do you need? Fill in your name and email address on the form below and we'll get in touch right away!
FREE Training events for parents are provided by the Merseyside Joint Training Partnership; the dates, times and locations can be found by clicking here.
PAT support groups currently meet regularly in South Sefton at:-
Sefton Carers Centre
27 - 37 South Road
Waterloo
Liverpool L22 5RF
Tel: 0151 288 6060
Meetings are also held in North Sefton at various locations; a list of meetings, dates and venues can be seen by clicking here.
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Parents & Advocates Together - The Forum for Parent Advocacy!
