PCNA’s (hooray!), Reminders & the London Marathon 13th April 2016 Dear All It’s amazing what people can do when they set their mind to it. Full article at the end… (it’s about a fabulous young person from Kingston (with cerebal palsy) who is participating in the London Marathon.)
The right to ordinary lives – PCNAs… What is a PCNA? PCNA stands for Parents Carers Needs Assessment and looks at what parents & carers need to enable them to carry on caring effectively. We know that our task as parents of children & young people with additional needs brings additional stresses outside ‘normal’ parenting (most parents are not as familiar with hospitals as we might be). The PCNA is your chance to consider your role as a carer and what help you may need to support you, to maintain your own health, as well as balancing your caring role with other aspects of your life, such as work and family. Your PCNA will help to clarify your needs and to identify sources of support which could help you (eg short breaks & respite, practical support or planning for emergencies).
How to complete & return a PCNA The PCNA can be completed by parents and carers themselves (self-assessment) or with support from another organisation. For instance, this could be the Single Point of Access, Richmond Carer’s Centre or Kingston Carers Network; contact details are in the form – pages 2 and 14 respectively.
What happens next? The form must be returned to the Single Point of Access (SPA), either paper copy or electronically via e-mail. The SPA will contact you once you have returned the form; full timeline is on page 15 and the process will be completed within 20 working days.
How to get a copy of the PCNA form Here is the link to the Word document on the Local Offer: https://www.afclocaloffer.org.uk/pages/home/assessment-and-education-health-and-careplanning/parent-carer-needs-assessment Printed copies are in production now. However, SFV are very happy to print and post a copy to any parent that asks – just reply to this e-mail with details. We’re delighted to have worked closely with Clive Seall, Strategic Head of Family Support, Achieving for Children to have developed and produced the PCNA. If you have any questions at all (and the form may not yet be perfect!), please ask.
SEN Transport – erratum Last week, we wrote... "the SEN Transport team will soon be writing out to parents, as part of the summer review to confirm arrangements for each child in September; at that point every