Fostering families’ leadership
One of our guiding values is ‘shared authority’. By this we mean the Pathfinder is moving away from the traditional client-agency imbalance of power, and instead we recognise the value of co-production; the expertise of lived experience; the value of peer support; and the importance of a non-judgmental approach.
In practice this means we support parents to work together on the things that matter to them including organising peer support meetings and events and parent engagement days, as well as support groups on issues like SEND.
Parents are also interested in sharing their experiences and campaigning for change on issues including housing, poverty and support for children with SEND.
The Pathfinder staff team helps to create the platform for these activities to take place, but it is the families who decide what to do. Our coordinator for this work is Jess Rogers and you are welcome to contact her at the Pathfinder office (or email at info@birminghampathfinder.org.uk) if you are interested in getting involved.