Helpful information
Useful links
Jargon buster
Contact
We support families with the best possible guidance and information. We bring families together to support each other. And we help families to campaign, volunteer and fundraise to improve life for themselves and others.
Lancashire IAS
If you live in Lancashire you can get information, advice and support around special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) from the Information, Advice and Support (IAS) Team.
NNPCF
The National Network of Parent Carer Forums (NNPCF) is the independent national voice of parent carer forums.
Special Needs Jungle
Many families do not get the help they need because they do not know where to look or how to cut their way through the increasingly complicated system. We aim to highlight resources and inspire and empower families to do this successfully by providing resources, tips, facts and examples.
IPSEA
We help children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities across England get the appropriate education, training and support which they are entitled to under the law.
Local Offer
The local offer brings together information that is helpful to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and their families.
POWAR
POWAR is the name of Lancashire County Council's Participation group for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Barnardo's helps organise POWAR.
Jargon buster
LPCF
Lancashire Parent Carer Forum
ADD
Attention Deficit Disorder
ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ASD/C
Autistic Spectrum Disorder/Condition
BESD
Behavioural, Emotional and Social Development –This term is no longer used, but may appear on historical documentation.
BSL
British Sign Language
CAF
Common Assessment Framework
CoP
Code of Practice
DCO
Designated Clinical Officer
DfE
Department for Education (Government)
EA
Equality Act
EHCP
Education, Health and Care Plan
ENT
Ear, Nose and Throat
EO
Education Officer
EOTAS
Education Other Than At School
EP
Educational Psychologist
EWO
Educational Welfare Officer
EY
Early Years
FE
Further Education
GP
General Practitioner – Doctor
HI
Hearing Impairment
IASS
Information Advice Support Service
IEP
Individual Education Plan
IPS
Independent Parental Supporter
IPSEA
Independent Provider of Special Education Advice
LA
Local Authority
LCC
Lancashire County Council
MLD
Moderate Learning Difficulties
NAS
National Autistic Society
NC
National Curriculum
NHS
National Health Service
NNPCF
National Network Parent Carer Forums
OT
Occupational Therapist
PMLD
Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties
PSHE
Personal Social and Health Education
SALT
Speech and Language Therapist
SCD
Social Communication Disorder
SEND
Special Educational Needs Disabilities
SENCO
Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator
SENDIST
Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal
SENDO
Special Education Needs Disability Officer
SLD
Severe Learning Difficulties
SpLD
Specific Learning Difficulties
TA
Teaching Assistant
TR
Transition Review
VI
Visual Impairment
FAQs
Is the LPCF just another support group?
Is the LPCF a campaign group?
Who do the LPCF work for?
How do I become a member?
How much does membership cost?
Is this the LPCF paid by Lancashire County Council?
Can I become a member without being actively involved?
My child does not have a formal diagnosis; can I still be a member?
