What is parental or carer advice and how do I submit it?

Parental advice is the legal term for the information that you (as a parent or carer) give the local authority as part of your child's Statutory Assessment. As a parent or carer you know your child better than anyone else, so it's important that you tell us as much as you can about your child. This information is just as important as any information given by the school or the health services.

There are lots of different ways you can tell us about your child:

• Send handwritten or typed comments.
• Write on the form you are sending or, if you prefer, just use the headings on the form as a guide.
• Contact the special educational needs team to give your information by telephone. Ask to speak to your named officer.
• Contact the parent partnership officer or parent engagement officer who will help you to put your advice together (Telephone: 0161 778 0343 / 0349).
• Ask someone who knows your child for help in putting your advice together.
• Ask someone else to write the advice for you.
• Contact your named officer and ask for a meeting to discuss your advice.

You can include information about any or all of the things listed below. You might begin with your main concern but don't think you have to include everything, these headings are just ideas to help you get started.

Birth/early years:
Babyhood, learning, confidence, experiences, personality, progress, concerns, help, early indicators.

Special needs:
What are they? How can they be met?

Communication:
Speaking, joining in, asking questions, giving information, confidence.

General health:
Eating, sleeping, ailments, illnesses, accidents, habits, fitness, medications, operations, physical.

Family:
Relationships, makeup, routines, background, support, concerns, history.

Behaviour:
Home, school, personality, cooperation, attentiveness, helpfulness, willingness, routines, rule following, sharing, affection, moods, self esteem.

Play/leisure:
Hobbies, interests, activities.

School:
Relationships, enjoyment, strengths, difficulties, participation, attendance, self-esteem.

Independence:
Feeding, washing, self-help, organisation, self-esteem.