Parent Partners

Our volunteers are called parent partners (also known as Independent Parental Supporters (IPSs)). Some of them work on a city-wide basis and some are based in particular schools.

What kinds of things do our parent partners do?

• Listen to parent and carers concerns in confidence.
• Explain special educational needs/additional educational needs processes and procedures.
• Provide helpful information and support or signpost to other services, including interpreters.
• Help parents and carers prepare for meetings about their child with the school, education service, or other agencies Support parents and carers at meetings.
• Help parents and carers write reports or letters about their child.
• Provide information about local voluntary groups and support groups, where parents in similar situations meet to inform and support each other.
• Support parents and carers to feel confident in dealing with professionals who may be involved with their child.
• Make enquiries on parent and carers behalf with their permission.
• Explain how independent disagreement resolution may help if agreement cannot be reached with the Local Authority or school.
• Encourage and help parents and carers to seek their child’s views Our school-based parent partners also:
  - Help establish and sustain parent support groups or interest groups in school
  - Work with school staff to support partnership working with parents
  - Promote parent friendly policies and practice
  - Provide a voice on behalf of parents
• At all times our parent partners can refer to our paid staff for advice and support and if appropriate and necessary ask for their direct involvement.

Listed below is a list of schools that have a school based parent partner. If you wish to contact any parent partner email alison.richardson@plymouth.gov.uk Please state the school that your child attends.

• Austin Farm Primary
• Devonport High School for Boys
• Eggbuckland Community College
• Estover Community College
• Estover Primary
• Highfield Primary
• Keyham Barton  
• Knowle Primary
• Laira Green Primary
• Leigham Primary
• Lipson Community College
• Lipson Vale primary
• Mount Street Primary
• North Prospect Community Primary
• Notre Dame Roman Catholic secondary school for Girls
• Pilgrim Primary
• Plymbridge Nursery
• St Boniface  Catholic College for Boys
• Stoke Dameral Community College
• Thornbury Primary
• West park Primary

If your child's school is not listed you can have access to our city wide parent partners contact parent.partnership@plymouth.gov.uk you can also ring 01752 258933.