Working in the Wider Area
How we work together across Bristol, North Somerset and South Glos (BNSSG)
We know that services for children and young people with SEND often cross council borders.
That’s why Bristol Parent Carers, North Somerset Parent Carers Working Together, and South Glos Parent Carers work closely together to support families across all three areas.
Together, we are known as BNSSG.
Why we work together
Many health and care services – like CAMHS, paediatricians, therapy services and more – are planned and delivered across all three areas, not just one. So, it’s important that your voice is heard, wherever you live.
We meet regularly to share what parent carers in each area are telling us
We work with the BNSSG Integrated Care Board (ICB) to improve services like health, therapy, mental health, and community care
We help make sure families’ lived experiences shape how services are planned and delivered
We support joint projects and consultations across the BNSSG region
Each area still has its own parent carer forum – we’re local, we’re independent, and we listen to families in our community. But by working together as BNSSG, we make sure your voice is even stronger when it comes to services that go beyond your local council.
Take a look at the projects we’re working on here
What we do as a BNSSG partnership
Have your say!
We want to enable everyone to have their say on local services, family needs and topical issues. Your voice is so important – it can bring about change to local services which work for children and young people with SEND and their families.
We want to hear your views and experiences of your child’s SEND journey. Tell us what needs changing and what is working well. You can do this by:
Completing one of our SEND themed surveys (we usually produce two or three every year). These are emailed out to those on our member’s mailing list as well as posted on our social media channels.
Taking part in one of our listening events or engagement sessions – dates are listed below and information will go out in emails to those on our member’s mailing list.
Upcoming dates
How to book?
All bookable events need to be booked in advance through Eventbrite.
For events that are held via Zoom, you will receive instructions on how to join in an email from Eventbrite once you have signed up.
Beyond the Local Area
National Network of Parent Carer Forums
The National Network of Parent Carer Forums (NNPCF) is the independent, national voice for Parent Carer Forums across the nine Department for Education (DfE) regions in England. The NNPCF was established in 2011, as a representative organisation, we bring together 153 Parent Carer Forums from across England.
South West Region of Parent Carer Forums
The South West region brings together 15 Parent Carer Forums, working in partnership to champion the voices of families and drive positive change. Through collaboration, shared learning and strong relationships, we support and strengthen participation across the region and nationally, to help shape services and improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND.