WNC - Engaging with Parent Carers Toolkit

Working together helps children and young people with SEND get the support they need. This toolkit shows how schools and parent carers can build strong working relationships and work in partnership.

Positive relationships with parent carers are an important part of effective SEND support. This free toolkit helps schools improve the way they work with families. It includes practical guidance, tools and opportunities for reflection. It can help improve communication, build trust and support meaningful partnerships.

The toolkit was developed by West Northants Voices in Partnership (WNVP) in partnership with local schools, parent carers and SEND services. It is based on the experiences of local families and professionals. Surveys, interviews, discussions and local SEND data helped shape the content.

The toolkit recognises that parent carers know their children best. Schools should involve parent carers in decisions about their child's education and support. The toolkit provides practical ways for schools and families to work together so that children and young people with SEND can receive the right support at the right time.

What the toolkit includes

The toolkit covers a range of topics.

Including:

• building positive relationships and effective communication
• understanding the importance of empathy and openness
• making meetings more collaborative and inclusive
• helping parent carers take part with confidence
• managing difficult conversations
• understanding barriers to engagement
• supporting families through key transitions
• working with families where language or cultural barriers exist
• practical ways to increase parent carer engagement
• gathering and responding to parent carer feedback

The toolkit is flexible and can be used in different ways. Schools can work through the whole toolkit, focus on specific sections, use individual tools or reflect on their current approach to engaging with parent carers.

You can download the toolkit below.

Why this matters

When parent carers feel listened to and valued, relationships become stronger. This helps schools and families work together more effectively and better understand a child's needs. It can also help identify challenges early and improve outcomes for children and young people.

The toolkit encourages schools to reflect on how they work with families and shows how small changes can have a positive impact.

Use the toolkit to find practical ideas and tools that can help your school build stronger relationships with parent carers.