This guide was produced as part of the Listen To My Voice initiative in Stoke-on-Trent, which supports inclusive practice with children and young people who have significant challenges to their learning. 

It contains guidance for people working to involve the parents and carers of those children including:

• Principles of engagement
• Barriers to participation
• Ways to make it easier to engage with parents
• What works
• Writing a strategy
• Lots of useful materials in the appendices, such as links to online support and advice for supporting people with autism, hearing impairments and visual impairment

Led by Sue Thomas, Outreach Manager for Children England, it was produced in collaboration with the city council's Inclusion Service and parents, carers and guardians themselves. 

There is a real and acknowledged transparency in our collaboration with parents, carers and guardians across formal groupings and through individuals. It has been the expectation and strategic promise, that parents, carers, partners, young adults, children and young people are partners in the work we do and without their involvement, where they wish to give it, we would not be able to develop and deliver effective services helping children with significant challenges to learning achieve their aspirations.

Please note: this resource has been produced by and with families in Stoke-on-Trent. In other communities, parents, services, children and young people will contribute according to their own experiences. Sue is happy to discuss workshops with services in other areas so that you can co-produce your own guide - just get in touch.

Download the full guide

Author: Sue Thomas – Outreach Manager, Children England
Stoke-on-Trent Inclusion Service
Listen to My ‘Voice’ Project
June 2017