Helpful information
Useful links
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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?
No, we are a participation group but we will try our very best to signpost you to a local organisation or support group who can help with any additional support you may require.
Is the LPCF a campaign group?
No, but we acknowledge the important role that campaign groups have in helping to get the parent voice heard. At the forum we are able to work with campaign groups by providing them information and feeding back the issues they raise.
Can professionals join?
Yes, professionals can become associate members and receive relevant information and work alongside the forum.
If your organisation plan or provides services for families in Lancashire, we encourage all to get in touch. We encourage all to join with us, so that we can work effectively together and help improve the quality of life for our families across Lancashire.
Who do the LPCF work for?
We are all volunteers and work for no one! We represent parent carers but are entirely independent of any statutory organisations.
How do I become a member?
Simply get in touch by clicking the link on our ‘Join Us’ page. All we ask is for you to fill in the requirement details and your membership is then agreed through the forum. LPCF members are parent/ carers or grandparents of children living in Lancashire with SEND.
How much does membership cost?
Membership is free!
Is this the LPCF paid by Lancashire County Council?
No, we receive a grant from the DfE (Department for Education) to support the forum in its work for parent/carers participation.
Can I become a member without being actively involved?
Yes; most of our families join our membership to receive up to date information that may affect their families. However, some parents feel that they can contribute a little time to volunteer and help out with certain things such as coming along to chat and sharing their experience at one of our coffee mornings.
My child does not have a formal diagnosis; can I still be a member?
If your child is currently undergoing an assessment or has additional needs which have not been formally diagnosed you can still become members – please contact us to discuss.