1. We do not handle individual cases

We cannot:

• intervene in a specific EHCP dispute

• attend meetings on behalf of a family

• challenge a school or the council about an individual child

• offer advocacy or legal representation

Parent Carer Forums work at a strategic level, not casework.

2. We do not replace SENDIASS, IPSEA, or legal advice

We cannot:

• give legal advice

• act as mediators

• provide representation at tribunals

• advise on the legal strength of a case

We may signpost families to the right support, but we cannot take on that role ourselves.

3. We do not make decisions about services

We are not the Local Authority, and we do not:

• approve or reject EHCPs

• decide funding

• allocate school places

• run SEND services

We influence and shape decisions, but we do not have the power to make them.

4. We do not speak for individual parents

We represent the collective voice of parent carers in RBWM.

This means we:

• gather themes and patterns

• share common experiences

• highlight systemic issues

We cannot act on single personal opinions unless they reflect a wider trend.

5. We do not run services for children or young people

We are not a service provider.

We do not:

• offer therapy

• run clubs or activities

• provide direct support for children

Our focus is on improving the system, not delivering services.

1. We rely on parent participation

Our influence depends on:

• parents completing surveys

• attending events

• sharing experiences

Without community input, our ability to represent families is limited.

2. We are volunteers

All Parent Carer Forums are run by parent carers who:

• have SEND children of their own

• juggle family life, work, and caring responsibilities

This means capacity can be limited, and we prioritise work that has the biggest strategic impact.

3. We cannot force the Local Authority to act

We can:

• challenge

• advise

• influence

• co‑produce

But we cannot:

• compel the council to implement changes

• enforce compliance with SEND law

We work in partnership, not in authority.

4. We must stay neutral and constructive

We cannot:

• campaign against the council

• take an adversarial stance

• act as a pressure group

Parent Carer Forums must maintain a working relationship with the Local Authority to be effective.

5. We are not a complaints service

We cannot:

• investigate complaints

• escalate issues on behalf of families

• resolve disputes

We may use complaint themes to highlight systemic problems, but we cannot handle complaints ourselves.