New book offers a comprehensive guide for professionals working with children with complex and specific needs
Drawing on first-hand discussions and interviews with parents and carers, True Partnerships in SEND, a new book by experts Heather Green and Becky Edwards from the University of Chichester is a must-read for professionals working with children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their families. This essential guide offers a realistic and in-depth overview of bringing up a child with complex and specific needs to enhance current practice and collaborative work with parents.
Developed over a period of two years, the book features chapters written by Professor Brian Lamb OBE and Chris Smethurst, Co-Director of the Institute for Education and Social Sciences at the University of Chichester. During its creation, the authors interviewed over 24 families about their own personal experiences.
Co-author Heather Green said: “Throughout my career, as I turned to literature to support my understanding of what is considered best practice in partnership working, I noticed that literature included clear frameworks and guidance on how to work with others were mostly written by professionals and academics. Questions were raised in my head that wouldn’t go away. How do we know this is how people (families especially) want to work?
“Becky and I wanted our book to bring together the voices of those who are often misrepresented, possibly sometimes forgotten, but are essential if ‘True Partnerships’ are to happen. Being a parent myself, I very much welcomed the shift in value of collaboration and coproduction between professionals, families and children and young people.
“I hope our book can support professionals by not only having their voices represented, but also provide them with insight into what parents and families hope for in effective partnerships. With both insight and hope, barriers can be broken, problems can be solved, and anything is possible!”
True Partnerships in SEND supports the development of effective child-centred planning and family-centred approaches by using the expert voices and lived experiences of parents to inform critical discussion and build the skills of professionals. Scenarios, key takeaways and questions for discussion are woven throughout the book, offering a greater understanding of the barriers faced by parents of children with SEND and encouraging the reader to consider how they can more effectively co-produce with families.
True Partnerships in SEND is now available in print and e-book formats.
