PARENTS/CARERS' VOICES This template has been designed to use with parents/carers individually but could also be useful with a small group. It would be appropriate across all Children’s Services for both providers and commissioners either individually, that is, Health, Social Care and Education but preferably combined, when they want to find out if the services they are providing are meeting the needs of the community they are serving.
The template is intended to address the following question:
“Are the opportunities, services and interventions currently being made available to children with additional needs and their families living in the community that we serve, providing them with the necessary skills and tools, they (as individuals) will need, that will enable them to build and live their future to the best of their ability?â€
This is an important question to consider because needs that go unmet now, combined with unfulfilled goals and stymied aspirations and ambitions, jeopardise the chance of anyone taking their rightful place in their community and/or society, or living a fulfilled and happy life. Consequently, this means by not meeting needs now, the costs to society are more likely to escalate, as these children and young people progress through their lives.
In addition, it may also identify gaps in services and provision, highlighting potential safe-guarding and/or health and safety issues.
