Learning Difficulties and Disabilities

If you have any questions about your son/daughter's education or would like to know more about how you can become involved in helping them reach their full potential, you can speak to a PA or contact the Parent Partnership Service.

Details of Connexions Black Country's 'Forward' guide to transition appear at the bottom of this page.

Parent Partnership Services

There is a Parent Partnership Service in Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton. These are statutory services, responsible for providing information and advice to parents and carers of children with special educational needs, including those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

The aim of the Parent Partnership Service is to help parents/carers to become more actively involved in their child's education. For example, the Service can offer support for parents/carers throughout the Annual Review Process by answering any questions you may have before, during or after the review. A representative from the Service can even be present at the Review.

If you would like to know more about the Parent Partnership Service in your area or have any questions about your child's education, you can contact the Service using the details listed below.

Dudley:

Dudley Parent Partnership Service

Trafalgar House, 47-49 King Street, Dudley, DY2 8PS
Tel: 01384 236677
Email: parent@dudleycvs.org.uk

Sandwell:

Sandwell Parent Partnership Service - www.sandwellparentpartnership.co.uk

Sandwell Parent Partnership Service
Prospects Services Ltd, Unity House, 6 Unity Place, Oldbury B69 4DB
Tel: 0121 552 0047

Email:sandwellparentpartnership@prospects.co.uk

Walsall:

Walsall Parent Partnership Service

Children & Young People’s Services, Walsall Council, 40 Darwall Street, Walsall WS1 1DA

Telephone 01922 650330
Fax 01922 634093
Email parentpartnership@walsall.gov.uk

Wolverhampton:

Wolverhampton Parent Partnership Service

Jennie Lee Centre, Lichfield Road, Wednesfield, WV11 3HT
Tel: 01902 556945
E-mail:ppservice@wolverhampton.gov.uk

Also in Wolverhampton there is a charity - include me too - that aims to:

• Support BME and other marginalised disabled children and young people and their families to access information and support and identify individual needs and barriers
• Provide an opportunity for BME and other marginalised parents/carers to share and learn from experiences/support one another.
• Promote and increase awareness of full range of services and support  available for BME and other marginalised disabled children and young people and their family promoting inclusive, accessible, culturally appropriate and reflective . Services combining and supporting and holistic, multi-agency approach.
• Increase representation and involvement of all disabled children and young people and their families to be involved at all levels of service delivery and decision making processes.
• Increase awareness of disability issues in all communities through partnership with BME and other minority community Faith Groups, voluntary and community groups.
• Provide a equal platform for BME and other minority disabled children and young people to voice their views and concerns.

Finding Out More

Connexions Black Country has produced a detailed booklet for parents/carers of young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Called 'Forward', the free publication includes information on Parent Partnership Services, Transitional Reviews, annual reviews, legal issues, benefits, choices after 16 and useful contacts.

If your son/daughter has a statement or learning difficulty/disability and is in year 9, 10 or 11, you may find Forward useful. Your son/daughter may have brought a copy home. Alternatively, copies are available from Personal Advisers at school parents' evenings or Connexions centres.