Parent Carer Voice Herefordshire (PCVH)

Championing the Voices of Families of Children & Young People with SEND

Parent Carer Voice Herefordshire (PCVH) is the official Parent Carer Forum for Herefordshire. It brings together parents and carers of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) to influence, shape, and improve the services they rely on.
 

PCVH ensures that families’ experiences, concerns, and priorities are heard at strategic levels across health, education, and social care.

What Parent Carer Voice Does

Represents Parent Carers in Local Decision‑Making

PCVH works with, not for, local authorities, NHS services, and social care partners to ensure services meet the needs of children and young people with SEND.

They act as equal partners and co‑producers, helping shape policies, plans, and service improvements across the county.

Co‑Production & Influence

PCVH plays a key role in co‑producing improvements, such as:

• Creating the Co‑production Charter with stakeholders
• Improving the Family Conversation and EHCP processes
• Removing unhelpful one‑page profiles from EHCPs and redesigning the format collaboratively
• Supporting the restructuring of SEND engagement roles within the council
   

Their “You Said, We Did” work shows how parent feedback leads to real, measurable changes.

Offers Peer Support & Community Connection

PCVH provides opportunities for families to:

• Meet other parent carers
• Share experiences
• Access information
• Feel supported

They collaborate with community groups such as the HANDS Hub, offering workshops, drop‑ins, and sensory‑friendly activities for families.

Provides Feedback to Improve SEND Services

Parent Carer Voice is recognised locally for ensuring that the voices of parents and carers are heard by inspectors and service leaders. During SEND inspections, parents shared that they feel heard and see their views acted upon, reflecting the forum’s influence.

Helps Families Navigate the SEND System

PCVH signposts families to:

• Local SEND support
• Early Help
• Workshops and training
• Practical guidance on areas like short breaks, transitions, and health services

​​​​​​​They also co‑produce resources such as improved short breaks guidance and early years SEND information.

Who Can Join Parent Carer Voice?

PCVH is open to any parent or carer of a child or young person (0–25) with SEND living in Herefordshire. Everyone involved is themselves a parent or carer of a child with SEND.

Membership is free, and families can get involved as little or as much as they like.

How PCVH Works

PCVH is led by a steering group of parent carers who gather views, attend local meetings, and represent families across multiple SEND workstreams.
 

Their approach includes:

• Regular consultation with parents
• Representing families at strategic boards
• Working alongside SEND teams to improve services
• Supporting co‑production across education, health and care

Why Parent Carer Voice Matters

PCVH strengthens the SEND community by ensuring that services:

• Reflect the realities of family life
• Are designed in partnership with those who use them
• Improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND
   

Its contribution has been recognised in local SEND inspections, where co‑production was praised as a strength of the area.

Find Out More / Get Involved

Families can connect through events, workshops, and online updates shared through partner organisations

https://pcvh.co.uk/