ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the relationship between parents and professionals and looks at ways in which Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators (SENCOs) and parents can develop more effective partnerships. The concept of partnership in relation to working with parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is subjective and open to (mis)interpretation. The effectiveness of working in partnership with parents depends, to a large extent, on the views and attitudes of the professionals involved. Partnerships should not be viewed as static but as a responsive and collaborative movement towards shared goals based on mutual respect, complementary expertise and a willingness to learn from each other. Parents, on the one hand, cite a range of other obstacles, including lack of information, lack of transparency, lack of equality of status, lack of understanding of their child’s case and the use of jargon. Chronic sorrow is a hidden sorrow experienced specifically by parents of children with SEND.
