About Pi
We are parents helping parents so that disabled children can learn, make friends and have a voice in ordinary schools and throughout life.
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Parents for Inclusion is a network of parents of disabled children and children with 'special needs'. In our families and as an organisation we have worked together with disabled people to build inclusive communities in ordinary life, where all people are truly welcome.
We are a national charity, and started in 1984 as Parents in Partnership. Our experiences have led us to develop the following 'tools' for parents. Most importantly, we work closely with disabled adults, to bring their understanding and experience to parents, so that parents can become real allies to their disabled children.
We provide:
helpline
training
groups in schools
representing parents
links with the inclusion movementThe way we work
Parents for Inclusion -
- Places the child's views and wishes at the centre of action.
- Fully supports, and promotes the Social Model of Disability
- Works together with disabled people as equals - as partners, colleagues, in relationships and friendships
- Creates allies amongst disabled people, parents, and professionals
- Creates allies for disabled young people
- Empowers parents
- Doesn't blame individuals but takes action for change
- Believes in Inclusion Now - because all means all
Our Inclusion helpline is staffed by parents who have 'been there', and know the score.
- freephone
top
Training for parents and professionals.
Parents come to find out more about how to be allies and support their children. The training is delivered jointly by a parent of a disabled child and a disabled adult (their children grown up). Hearing from disabled people is very powerful and inspires parents to reflect on the rights of their children and their role in giving their children a voice. Parents will often come back for more and want to train to become more involved as trainers or facilitators.
Find out more about our training
Professionals are currently being told that they need to develop inclusive practices, but need support and training to do so. Again, disabled people are best placed to impart understanding of the way schools can change culturally as well practically.
Inclusion Groups in schools for parents
We run Inclusion Groups in Schools for parents in many South London schools, and plan to develop these groups in other areas. Our groups are run by parents for parents and help families and schools understand each other better, to help all children belong.
We believe that education is about making young people grow in confidence and self-esteem, in a safe, loving and welcoming environment. School is about getting an education - and that's important but it's also about relationships, friendships, being valued and of course, learning together. An important part of a child's success at school is for them to feel and be included. Parents are welcomed to a meeting at the school where they can feel free to talk about every aspect of their child's school life with other parents. At the end of the meeting the teacher who is responsible for Special Educational Needs is invited to join the group to hear their general concerns.
Representing parents' voice:
Pi speaks out at conferences, in the media, to the Government, representing the voice of parents as allies to young disabled people; making the case for keeping children in our families and neighbourhoods, explaining how we want support to live our lives together.
We are part of a growing network of organisations and individuals working together - Inclusion Now.
The Alliance for Inclusive Education - an umbrella group led by disabled people campaigning together for a change in education law.
Disability Equality in Education - providing training on inclusion for schools and LEAs, designed and delivered by disabled trainers.
Parents for Inclusion
020 7738 3888 - Admin line
- Freephone HelplineParents for Inclusion is a registered charity No: 1070675
and a company limited by guarantee No: 3078388
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