Parents in Partnership
History
In November 2003, a new organisation for parents in Edinburgh was launched. A group of parents with first-hand experience of negotiating the health, education and social services in Edinburgh for their children set up “Parents in Partnership”.
This voluntary organisation aims to create a network of parents in order to share views and experiences on a wide variety of subjects and issues.
” We know how isolated parents can feel, as they try to make sure their children’s needs are met. Parents often feel that they are labelled “difficult parents” if they ask any questions about schools, or the health service. And they often don’t know who to speak to if they are unhappy about something. We would like parents to contact us whenever they come across a difficulty to do with a service. We will try to point them in the right direction” says co-founder Carol Lindsay.
From this pool of individual experiences, Parents in Partnership (PiP) has set an agenda for change and improvement to services across the city.
Issues and concerns that have already been raised with PiP are: bullying, access to facililities for push-chairs and wheelchairs, internet supervision in schools, leisure provision for young people, building bridges between young people and their communities, additional support needs and learning support provision, school catchment boundary reviews, public transport accessibility, locker provision in secondary schools, depression in young people.
“The idea of the Partnership is that we would be in partnership with each other, and that we would work in partnership with our children, the NHS, the Council, the Scottish Executive, businesses, schools, transport providers and local groups to add “a parent’s eye view” of life in Edinburgh” explains Tina Woolnough, co-founder.
• Share your views and ideas with PiP by email on PiP@kristina.org.uk or by post c/o Blackhall Nursery, Ravelston Park Pavilion, Craigcrook Rd, Edinburgh EH4 3RU.
