Rutland Parent Carer Voice
Our Mission
Our mission is to be the listening ear and representative for parents and caregivers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities in Rutland. As the official Parent Carer Forum, we are committed to elevating the voices of those who champion the needs of individuals with special needs.
As a non-profit, volunteer organization established by parents and caregivers of children with disabilities in the local community, our goal is to ensure that the services in Rutland effectively address the needs of disabled children and their caregivers. As an independent forum, we collaborate with, but operate separately from, the local council and health services.
our people
We are a group of dedicated parents and carers of children and young people, with disabilities or special educational needs, living in Rutland. As volunteers, we are committed to improving the lives of families navigating disabilities and additional needs. Our forum serves as the official voice for all parents and carers in Rutland, working closely with Rutland County Council, health professionals, and education providers to ensure that the services they deliver meet the needs of disabled children and their families. We aim to promote parent participation, offering the opportunity to discuss and drive positive changes in the services our children receive.
meet the memebers
Sue Mullinger
Dionne Roundhill
Karen Mackness
Sue Mullinger serves as the co-chair of the forum. My role involves attending strategic meetings across health sectors within the NHS and Integrated Care Board, as well as with Social Care and the Local Authority. I collaborate with forums at local, regional, and national levels to improve the system for children and young people with SEND and their families. I also have three children with SEND, each with a diverse range of needs.
Karen Mackness
Dionne Roundhill
Karen Mackness
Karen Mackness, co-chair of the forum and a long-time member. My husband and I have two wonderful sons, and I’ve worked in childcare since leaving school. Currently, I’m a full-time teaching assistant at a village school, where I focus on supporting children with additional needs as the SEND teaching assistant.
Our youngest son, a true superhero, is in a mainstream school with support from a DSP unit and an EHCP. He’s thriving, and most importantly, he’s happy.
Dionne Roundhill
Dionne Roundhill
Jane ritchie-smith
Dionne Roundhill serves as co-chair alongside Sue and Karen. My husband, Dave, and I have four children, one of whom has severe and complex needs (PMLD). Within the Forum, my primary role is to support families facing different challenging situations. I also coordinate all the training for parents and carers, as well as organize parent meetings with professionals.
Jane ritchie-smith
Jane ritchie-smith
Jane ritchie-smith
Jane Ritchie-Smith is a parent carer member of the committee and co-treasurer. She a dedicated team member and passionate about supporting families and young children with SEND
Mark stewardson
Jane ritchie-smith
Mark stewardson
Mark Stewardson is a parent carer member of the committee. My wife, Charlotte, and I have two children—a daughter and our eldest son, who has Down syndrome. I am deeply passionate about supporting young children with SEND and their families.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please reach us at contact@rutlandpcv.co.uk if you cannot find an answer to your question.
The forum is open to parents, carers, family members, guardians, and foster parents of children and young people aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs (SEND) and/or disabilities—no formal diagnosis required. Whether you live in Rutland or access education, health, or social care services in Rutland, we would love for you to join us.
No, we promote the voice of parents through active participation and work to influence change by collaborating with and challenging service providers. We recognize the vital role that campaign groups play in amplifying the voice of parents, and we are happy to work alongside them by providing feedback and sharing information.
We gather the views of local families and carers and collaborate with the council, education settings, health providers, and other service providers. Our goal is to highlight areas where local services are working well and to challenge situations where changes or improvements are needed.
There are many ways to get involved, from completing a survey to attending events—everyone is welcome! You can also take on roles such as group steering member or parent carer representative within the forum. The more people who participate, the better we can represent the needs of children, young people, and their families.
EAGER TO LEARN MORE?
We are a volunteer organization committed to improving the lives of those in need. With your help, we can make a meaningful impact in our community and beyond. Explore our website to learn more about our mission and the ways you can get involved today!
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