Pembrokeshire Council launches new support service

Pembrokeshire County Council is launching a new service for parents of children with additional learning needs.

From next month information, advice and support to those with children requiring special educational needs or disabilities is being taken in-house.

The new Inclusion Support team will work directly with families and schools across the county.

The team will be coordinated by Hayli Gibson, who previously led the independent SNAP Cymru parent partnership services for both Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.

She will be joined by a team of five support workers one of whom will represent and stand up for the individual child.

A new website will also be set up to provide information as well as support and advice for parents while a helpline will operate five days a week.

“This is an exciting new service for the families of those children requiring additional learning needs,” said Councillor Sue Perkins, Cabinet Member for Education and Safeguarding.

“All advice offered will be impartial and concise. And, where some cases become complex, or there is a breakdown in communication, an independent provider will also be available to support and to seek a resolution.”

The new in house service will be part of the Parent Partnership Service (PPS) which provides advice and information to parents across a range of educational and social issues.

The PPS also provides a range of training and development for school staff, governors as well as families,

A special conference is due to be held in the autumn to launch the range of services available to families in the county.

Prior to the launch of the new service, parents with concerns about their children’s educational needs contacted an external, independent body, SNAP Cymru.