ABSTRACT
The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of the development of the Independent Parental Supporter (IPS) scheme operated by Families InFocus (Essex), a relatively young charity based in Chelmsford, Essex. The editor approached me to write this chapter to look at Parent Partnership specifically from the viewpoint of an organisation run by parents for parents. This parental perspective therefore is of the IPS scheme rather than the wider LEA-operated Parent Partnership Services (PPS). However, I would like to acknowledge the constructive comments made by Essex LEA in its drafting.
