Listening Events

1. Structures and Processes
2. Early Identification
3. Improving Outcomes
4. Information and Guidance
5. Transition
6. Value for Money

Twelve listening events took place over six consecutive Mondays starting on 18 January 2021 and concluding on 1 March 2021, a break was taken for half term on 15 February 2021. The events were held at 10:00-12:00 and repeated at 19:00-21:00 with each week’s listening event concentrating on one of the priority areas. The listening events were held virtually using Microsoft Teams and were jointly facilitated by Joy Dodson and Laura Jones.

The Hull Parent Carer Forum publicised each event on their Facebook page. For each of the priorities a series of questions were agreed beforehand and shared with parents a couple of days prior the listening event to allow them to reflect on their lived experiences. The questions were also available as a Survey Monkey which allowed for feedback to be obtained from parents who were unable to - or chose not to, for whatever reason - attend the listening events in person.

Practitioners and professionals across services were notified of the listening events, why they were being held and invited to attend.

At the start of each event introductions were made by each of the parents with professionals and practitioners asked to introduce themselves using the ‘chat’ function. Each question was asked in turn and each parent was given an equal amount of time to share their experiences. During the questions professionals and practitioners simply listened and heard the experiences of parents and carers, there was no dialogue at any point. At the close of the event the professionals and practitioners were invited to share their reflections on what they had heard and the parents were thanked for their participation.

112 parents and carers attended the events, 39 individuals some of whom attended more than one event. Similarly, 80 professionals and practitioners attended the events, 30 individuals some of whom attended more than one event.

Immediate actions are to map the findings from the Listening Events to improvement work that is already in progress through the Accelerated Progress Plan and identify where gaps exist and new projects of work need to be commenced. For any new projects parents and carers need to be involved from the outset and throughout so the identified solutions are coproduced.

A clear plan for regular communication with parents and carers is also required so expectations are met.