Impartiality
Impartiality Policy
All local authorities (LAs) in England have a statutory duty to provide a parent partnership service (PPS). Some are provided ‘in-house’ with staff directly employed by the LA; some are ‘outsourced’ and, while still funded by the LA, are provided by the voluntary sector.
Walsall PPS is provided by Walsall Council and is an ‘in-house’ service. It is run at ‘arms-length’ from Walsall Children’s Services – Serco to avoid conflict of interests arising and offers understanding of the needs of parents/carers. This arrangement ensures the PPS is sufficiently independent but close enough to contribute to local policy and practice. In layman’s terms staff employed by Walsall PPS are able to inform parents/carers of what is statutorily required and what is local policy.
Staff employed by Walsall PPS:
- Behave impartially; not favouring any person or party more than another.
- Strive to be fair and unbiased, whilst presenting factual information and guidance in order to bring about a resolution to the issues with which they are presented.
- Support parents/carers in reaching informed decisions whilst helping them to understand the pros and cons of any decisions they make.
- Empower parents by providing them with advice, guidance, and support which includes national legislation and its application through local policies.
- May have parental consent to act as an intermediary between them and schools, the LA and other professionals.
- May put forward the wishes and views of parents/carers either during meetings or telephone calls, while at the same time ascertaining the views of the professionals.
- May take action in order to determine and clarify facts in order to better inform parents/carers about their child’s SEN.
- Do not act in isolation on behalf of parents/carers, for example in the way a solicitor would.
- Do not make decisions on behalf of parents/carers.
- Do not act as an advocate for parents/carers or become directly involved in complaints procedures but will provide information about correct complaints procedures and protocols involved.
- Do not indicate bias in favour of parents/carers nor do they impose their own views.
- Will not assist parents/carers personally known to them; another member of staff will support them.
- Will not support parents/carers if they themselves hold positions associated with the school, for example governor or clerk to the governor. In these situations another member of staff will support the parents/carers.
- Signpost parents/carers to other organisations to enable them to verify the impartiality of information and advice provided.
So as to maintain and protect the ‘arms-length’ status of Walsall PPS, the LA has established a management group. This consists of an independent Chair and has wide representation including a majority number of parents/carers. The focus of the management group is on service improvement.
Walsall PPS has its own office space including access to private meeting rooms in which to meet with parents/carers. However, it is not separate from the LA nor is it accessible.
Staff employed by Walsall PPS receive regular training from independent providers as well as in-house providers in current and relevant national, regional and local education law, policy and practice including training on exclusions and SEN and Disability Tribunals.
Staff receive supervision on a monthly basis during which support is provided to help them be aware of their own views so that they offer impartial information and support and that bias is minimised.
Contact us
Walsall Parent Partnership Service
Children and Young People’s Services
Walsall Council
1st floor, 40 Darwall Street
Walsall
WS1 1DA
Telephone 01922 650330
Fax 01922 634093
Email parentpartnership@walsall.gov.uk
This page was last updated on 23 February 2010