ask Parent Partnership Service (aPPS)
The aims of the service
To provide parent/carers with information and support to help you make informed choices and decisions regarding your child.
You may want this at different points in your child's education, such as when there are changes either to your child's needs or to the education your child is receiving, or because you have unresolved concerns about how your child's educational needs are being met.
We aim to assist the development of partnership between parents and schools, the Local Authority and others. The best outcome for your child will be achieved when all parties work in close collaboration.
What we do
The ask Parent Partnership Service offers parents and carers free, confidential and impartial information and advice about their child’s Special Educational Needs (SEN).
Please click here to view our confidentiality policy. Please click here to view our impartiality policy.aPPS has been contracted by Wiltshire Council to provide this service for parents and carers; however we are independent of the Local Authority.
We can provide:- a listening ear
- a free service
- a confidential service
- impartial information
- practical help
- support for meetings, where appropriate
- help with form filling
- Parents' Information Sessions with guest speakers
Our web site offers information on:
Please click on the subject for further information.
- Special Educational Need and the Code of Practice
- What to do if you suspect that your child has unrecognised Special Educational Needs
- Early Years provision (0 - 5years)
- Support Services for Schools and Settings
- School support at School Action and School Action Plus
- Key Stage Information
- Statutory Assessment
- How to write a parental contribution for Statutory Assessment
- Annual review
- How to appeal a decision
- A Transition plan
- Preparing for a meeting about your child
- What is an Academy School?
- Exclusion
- Transport for Pupils with Special Educational Needs
How we can help you:
We have a small team of Parent Partnership Advisors (PPAs) who have experience of working with parents, early years settings, schools, colleges, Local Authority and other professionals on SEN issues.
In some circumstances trained volunteers called Independent Parental Supporters (IPSs) also offer support.
We can:- take the time to listen to you and your concerns
- provide you with a range of impartial information and advice on SEN
- identify additional services or organisations that may be able to help you
- assist you with paperwork
- in certain situations, accompany you to meetings with other professionals, if appropriate
Who will help you?
Caroline Williams
In addition to being a Parent Partnership Advisor, I am also the aPPS Coordinator.
My normal working hours are everyday 9:00am - 3:00pm.
If you live in the following towns and surrounding areas, it will be me that you will speak to.
Bradford on Avon, Melksham, Mere, Trowbridge, Warminster and Westbury.
Sam Stiles
Parent Partnership Advisor
My normal working hours are 3 days from 9:00am - 3:00pm between Monday and Thursday.
If you live in the following towns and surrounding areas, it will be me that you will speak to.
Amesbury, Devizes, Downton, Marlborough, Pewsey, Salisbury, Tisbury, Wilton
Hilary Townsend
Parent Partnership Advisor
My normal working hours are 4 days from 9:30am - 1:30pm between Tuesday and Friday.
If you live in the following towns and surrounding areas, it will be me that you will speak to.
Calne, Chippenham, Corsham, Malmesbury and Wootton Bassett.
**Please be advised that in order to meet the demand for our service, we work reduced hours during school holidays.
For more information
Contact ask to talk about your particular issue and we will call you back to discuss your concerns.
LoCall Helpline 08457 585072
Email: info@askwiltshire.org
We recruit and train volunteers to become registered Independent Parental Supporters (IPS)
The IPSs can offer 1:1 support for local families needing advice about SEN, under guidance from our advisors. If you are interested in finding out about our volunteer opportunities please ring the ask Helpline 08457 585072.
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