Association for disAbility and Development

Parent Participation Improving services for the disabled children parts 1 & 2

Parents of children with special needs and young people care passionately about the services they receive. Parents have strong views on the services they get; whether govt. offices are working together and most of all whether the needs of their child are truly being met. All services are now expected to consult with parents and involve them in planning and development. But the concept of ‘parent participation’ means different things to different people. How do we ensure that parent participation is effective and meaningful for parents?

We(Ifham, Nelfa, Jeroen frm Handicap Intl. and I) are trying to form a support group consisting of parents of children with special needs, a young group of children with hearing impairment and a handful of relatives to address these issues and to help and support the many parents and professionals who want to work together to improve services.

Almost everyone reading this post would understand that parent participation is a successful way of providing better services. Evidence shows that parents who are involved in planning and developing services are more contented and empowered parents.

I hope that our meetings will offer an array of practical examples and suggestions to help professionals and parents become effective participators. It also offers an opportunity to welcome and reflect on a changing culture within the public services that now places such importance on the input of service users in our little but wonderful country.

Inviting parents to participate in the planning and delivery of services poses many challenges for govt. officals. Yet it is only through working with us parents that they understand how to deliver the services we need. Parents observe and experience the system at close quarters and this knowledge and expertise is unique.

I believe that good participation leads to empowered parents, empowered children and empowered services. This is undoubtedly a win-win situation for childen with special needs, their families and the professionals who work with them – what more could we want?

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