York's Model of Joint Partnership working (co-production)

Our experience with the Local Authority (LA) regarding our children had been as diverse as the needs of our 4 autistic children. For context, 2 of our children’s educational needs have required us to engage with the LA for EHCPs (Education, Health and Care Plans). We are just starting the journey with a third child. We hope the process of improving engagement will only help in that journey as we consecutively continue on the path with the other two children.

I think if we had a more 'joined up' approach to working where we could more easily share information it would be better for our children.

There should be open communication on what to expect and clear time frames.

(…) SEN is a minefield and I don’t have any background in Education etc. so I find it all bewildering. I’m also a visual person, I can’t imagine how services should look - you tell me/show me ideas of how things can work/what my son can access and I will know which are suitable - but tell me. Don’t hide things, assume I know or limit my knowledge. I still find out most things of importance through discussion with other parents. I need services to ensure they filter down as much information as possible (like parents) for us to make informed decisions.

I felt we were involved appropriately and, thanks to an exceptional provision we managed to secure a place in, our son is thriving

A young person described his thoughts about joint partnership:

They can have their own say in what happens and if they don’t like it they can change it.

You have chance to actually say what you want.

But when asked what he thought the barriers could be, he explained:

The adults letting us make decisions, I don’t think they’d find it easy, it could happen but wouldn’t be easy for adults to let go of the control.