Coproduction: If NOT now? When?

So, guess what! With only 2 full working days notice, we got invited to another meeting with the Haringey SEND department - this one was about the Haringey SEND strategy and ensuring that lessons are learned. But how are the SEND department going to learn from the Amaze report and complaints and members enquiries if they do not start implementing the recommendations of the Amaze report and the Children and Young People Scrutiny Panel about how to go about engagement with parent carers.

For example

1. An ideal minimum of three weeks' notice for meetings (The Amaze Report 2020)
2. The demands of looking after children with SEND are considerable which can make it very difficult for many to be actively involved. Flexible and imaginative ways of engaging parents and carers therefore need to be found. Co-production with parents and carers and a collaborative approach should now be being followed in the design, planning and development of services. (Children and Young People's Scrutiny Panel Report 2020)
   

Except, the invite was sent last Wednesday (9th June) for meetings last Monday (14th June) or tomorrow - Wednesday 16th June.

We understand that there will be further meetings in early July - details to follow.

Who knows if and when 'lessons will be learned' and things will get better...

Sendiass Markfield is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
 
Topic: Conversation about SEND Strategy in Haringey
Time: Jun 16, 2021 6pm to 7pm London
 
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/98784954757?pwd=Q0tWNnYxek5RdkZNV0krbDg0KzRZZz09
 
Meeting ID: 987 8495 4757
Passcode: 961999

You may like to reflect that our new Leader of the Council made promises upon appointment on 27th May 2021 (about 2 and a bit weeks ago) had some very strong words to say about coproduction:

“I want the lynchpin of my administration to be about co-production and co-design and being a more collaborative council.

“I am a working-class woman from an ethnic minority background, so I am used to people who want to talk on my behalf.

“My own background has shown me that the way we engage and talk to our residents is a crucial component moving forward. I will be using all my insight and experience of living in Haringey to help make a difference.”

Cllr Peray Ahmet appointed new Leader | Haringey Council

You may recall the letter send to all SEND parents in 2019 regarding better communication from the Haringey SEND department

Dear Parents and carers, and all families advocating for children with SEN and disabilities,

RE: Children with Special Needs

Firstly, I would like to thank you for the work you are doing in advocating for families with children who have special needs in Haringey. I understand that families have recently submitted information to the Fairness Commission regarding issues related to SEND which you would like us to address, and rest assured that we will be looking at all the feedback you have shared and working with the service to explore the issues and make any improvements needed.

I am writing now to underline the commitment that all of us within the Local Authority have made, to a model of co-design and participation with our SEND parents, carers, partners, and stakeholders. This commitment starts with the Leader, myself as Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Families and the Director of Children’s Services, Ann Graham. It signals an important milestone in how we work with families in ensuring, as best we can, that provision meets children’s needs.

I know from my own professional and personal experience, that joint working with families through a co-design approach is essential for children’s outcomes. We are committed to developing a co-design model that works and meets the ambition that we share for the services supporting all our children, young people and families. Developing this approach is now underway, and must be underpinned by trusting relationships between all parties. That is vital, and something we know needs to be built in order to secure the very best outcomes for all.
I know that officers have already begun the first steps in engaging with you as parents and carers, and I am taking a close interest in this which will give you the confidence that will grow as we work together and shape our services for all.

As part of our future programme of work, I can assure you that the Council will commit to the principles of timely information sharing, robust and thorough participation, inclusive participation and co-production based on mutual trust and respect. I understand a document is being drafted which sets this out clearly. Our aim, at all times, will be for respectful and productive dialogue.

We are aware that aspects of our ways of working, engaging and shaping services can be improved. We do need to effect considerable change if we are to move forward positively and co-design is critical to that.

You will appreciate I am new to this role, but it is clear to me that the service is now committed to working in a more open and inclusive manner. I support them unequivocally in this and indeed, think it is vital to delivering for SEND. This is a whole area issue, and Assistant Directors from across the Children and Young People’s Service including Schools and Learning, Commissioning and Social Care teams are working together with the Head of Integrated Service for SEN and Disabilities in achieving this.

While accepting the issues regarding our past communication, it is clear that our new approach can only succeed by working with parents and carers. Joint working, collaboration, participation, your knowledge, insights and challenge are all needed for coproduction to thrive. I urge you to continue to engage with the new approach, work with SEND team, so that we can begin to move forward with a service that seeks to provide the very best outcomes for all our children.


I am very happy to meet you and your groups to discuss this further.

Yours sincerely,

Zena Brabazon

Deputy Leader of Haringey Council
Cabinet Member for Children and Families

Professionals to plan ahead for consultations and engagement opportunities, with an ideal minimum of three weeks' notice for meetings and six for consultations.

Parents should be involved from the outset to help determine what type of engagement activity would be most effective. As part of this planning, have discussions around the needs of families who do not have English as a first language and whether translated materials or interpreters to access the opportunities can be provided.

Utilise social media, websites, text and WhatsApp to communicate upcoming sought and used in performance reviews. engagement opportunities, plus emails and flyers via schools and Markfield.

Provide flexible participation methods, such as face to face meetings, focus groups, online participation via Zoom, surveys, meetings at existing support groups and voluntary organisations, and via email.

AMAZE report recommendations for Haringey professionals (difficultparent.com)

So, when it pointed out that this was a meeting with parents held at very short notice (2 full working days)  the reply was...

"That this is an informal conversation prior to drafting a SEND strategy with a focus on lessons learnt by the authority and agreeing priorities and actions".