The City of Wolverhampton Council is launching a new forum on Monday, 16 March 2026, at Life Springs Church in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, to give families a direct say in local support services. This group is designed for parents and carers of children with special educational needs or disabilities to share their daily experiences and help shape future decisions that affect their families.
The launch of the new body, known as SEND Wolves Parent Voice, will take place from 10am to 2pm at the church on Clifton Street. Families attending the event will be able to learn how the forum will represent their views to local officials and work to improve the way support is delivered across the city.
This new body replaces Voice4Parents, which acted as the main representative group for local families for ten years before it closed its doors in 2025. Councillor Jacqui Coogan, who is the Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, has shared her appreciation for the work done by the previous group during its decade of service to the community.
The initiative to start the new forum comes as local officials prepare for a series of national government reforms to special needs services that are expected later in 2026. By setting up this new platform now, the council aims to ensure that the voices of families remain central to decision-making as the city manages a rising demand for specialist education and support.
The forum is intended to be a parent-led space where carers can discuss the challenges they face and work closely with the council to find solutions. Organisers hope that this collaborative approach will lead to better results for children as the city continues to expand its support within mainstream schools.
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