PAT Local Action
How can I get involved in PAT Local Action?
Our aim is to have a whole range activities available including:-
The PAT parent drop-in at 75 Seaforth Road, Liverpool, L21 3TX which is a good place to find friendship, to get a load off your chest, to unload, or to exchange mutual self help and support. Local parents meet regularly at PAT support groups across Sefton, in Waterloo, in Litherland, in Waterloo, in Formby and in Southport. Meeting dates and times are listed here.
Local letter writing campaigns to encourage Sefton PCT, Sefton Council, statutory and voluntary service providers to respond to issues raised by parents. Successes have already resulted in both Sefton MBC and Sefton PCT to adopt and implement a charter for disabled children.
Representing parents in local meetings to raise awareness of parent issues, to speak for parents and to advocate for changes that we see as necessary. PAT parents are members of the Sefton Community Empowerment Network, Network South, Sefton Advocacy Forum, Sefton Health and Social Care Forum, SAAPS, SOFAAS, Up-on Downs, PHAB, Sefton Carers Centre and Sefton Parent Partnership.
Developing new skills and abilities as parent advocates and advisers and attending FREE training courses provided for parents by the Merseyside Joint Training Partnership.
Group participation, representation and speaking for parent issues at meetings with the NHS Primary Care Trust, with Children's Services and with Social Care organisations.
What is PAT Advocacy?
Advocacy helps you to have your say in what happens in your life! Advocacy is a way of supporting you in speaking out about what you need. To find out more click here.
What is involved with PAT advocacy in practice?
There are several ways in which PAT can support parents with advocacy:
PAT can support parents to develop self-advocacy skills so that we can advocate and negotiate more effectively for ourselves and for each other.
PAT can support parents to advocate as a group in meetings with statutory authorities, schools, hospitals and voluntary sector service providers.
PAT can arrange to put parents in touch with trained professional advocates who will agree to help you speak out, to raise issues important to you and to negotiate ways of getting your needs met.
Who can help me to speak out and to take control?
PAT advocacy is covered by a charter of principles and a quality assurance process. Trained advocates can support parents to negotiate for the services they needs to care for their children. PAT can also refer parents to local Carers Centres to access professional advocacy. Trained advisors can help with a 'carers needs assessment' and to apply for benefits. You can contact Sefton Carers Centre on 0151 288 6060 or via email at help@carers.sefton.gov.uk
PAT will also refer parents who have children with special educational needs (SEN) to Sefton Parent Partnership (SPP). Trained parent coordinators can provide impartial support, advice and information. Parents can also work with Independent Parent Supporters (IPS) who will help with writing letters and with applying for an 'SEN Statement' for their child. You can call Sefton Parent Partnership on 0151 291 0551 or click here to send them an email.
How can I learn how to advocate more effectively for myself and to support other parents by advocating with them?
PAT parents can access FREE training provided for parents by the Merseyside Joint Training Partnership. A full programme of training courses is listed here. You can book your place on a course by calling 0151 287 7977 or click here to send an email. More training is available here. The Advocacy Charter defines and promotes the following ten key advocacy principles:
Clarity of Purpose
Independence
Putting People First
Empowerment
Equal Opportunity
Accessibility
Accountability
Supporting Advocates
Confidentiality
Complaints
Click here to see 2008 dates for the Sefton Advocacy Forum.
How can I get involved in group advocacy and in providing mutual self-help and support?
PAT represents the interests of parents with disabled children as part of the Sefton Advocacy Forum and the Sefton Community Empowerment Network.
PAT parents can also get their voice heard on all disability issues by contacting the Sefton Borough Partnership or through Ability which is a support group representing the community interests of all disabled people.
PAT arranges regular meetings with representatives of council departments, with health and social care professionals, with primary care specialists and with service providers from organisations across Sefton and Merseyside. PAT advertises these meetings and can arrange meetings for parents on issues which parents bring to the regular PAT support groups.
Click here to see 2008 dates for the Health and Social Care Forum.
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Parents & Advocates Together - The Forum for Parent Advocacy!
