Write a commentParent Action provides services to families caring for children, young people and adults with disabilities throughout Newry, Mourne and Down Council area.
Parent Action held their first Advocates Away Day at Clare Lodge Centre, Newcastle on Thursday 26 April, where they showcased their range of advocacy services.
Parent Action is a parent led social enterprise, which seeks to promote and protect the human rights of children, young people and adults with disabilities/ longterm health conditions (including diabetes Type 1, autism, ADHD, mental health issues) in their receipt of public services, through the empowerment of their parents as advocates.
The group use a ‘peer advocacy’ model with research showing the most effective support for parents of children, young people and adults with disabilities/ longterm health conditions is from other parents who have had similar experiences.
Speaking at the event, Orla Watt, Independent Family Advocacy Co-Ordinator with Parent Action said “The purpose of today was to begin building Parent Action’s team of advocates. Thanks to support from Awards for All, Big Lottery Fund we are now able to develop our advocacy services to meet significant demand from parents of children, young people and adults with disabilities in the local area”
Orla also thanked co-facilitator Aislinn Mooney, Clare Lodge for her help with the event.
Advocacy is about supporting people to have their individual voice heard. Children, young people and adults with disabilities/ long term health conditions are at particular risk of not having their voice heard because of the impact of their diagnosis, on the child’s development.
Advocacy plays a crucial role in securing a persons rights, representing the best wishes and interests of the child, who may be non or pre verbal as well as the parent who has preferences and priorities for their child’s care and education and it ensures decisions in health, social care and education public service delivery are taken with due regard to the child and parent’s preferences and perspectives.
You can get services from Parent Action Independent Family Advocacy Service if:
1: You have concerns about your child’s development, regardless of the child’s age (i.e. Your child can be an adult)
2: Your child is under assessment with a paediatrician for any reason.
3: Your child has a diagnosis of a disability or longterm health condition.
$: Relationships are stressful for you, with public service providers such as health professionals, schools, teachers or others.
Parent Action CIC is currently recruiting to our Board of Trustees. If you would like to join our innovative parent led team, to share your skills and expertise in accountancy, financial management, governance or expertise of caring for someone with a disability or having a disability or long term health condition yourself, please get in touch with Orla Watt, Independent Family Advocacy Co ordinator, for further information.
You can contact Orla on 077 5230 3854 or email orlaparentaction@gmail.com or message via their Facebook or Twitter pages @parentactionni
