Derbyshire Parent Carer Voice (DPCV) are a registered charity run by volunteers who are parent carers for children and young people who are disabled and /or have special educational needs.

The members are all deeply passionate about what they do. We are independent of the Local Authority, but work together with services across, health, education and social care to ensure the parent carer voice is heard.

  • We do this to improve services to ensure all young people get to have an equitable opportunity to realise their potential.
  • Our aim is to empower parent carers, by networking and sharing knowledge
  • We do this so parent carers do not feel they are alone.

To contact DPCV, please email: info@derbyshireparentcarervoice.org or take part in one of the events.

Upcoming Webinar: Supporting Children and Young People with ADHD

Are you a parent or carer of a child or young person with ADHD? Join us for an engaging and informative webinar hosted by DPCV and facilitated by Max Devereux, Educational Psychologist from Derbyshire County Council. This session is designed to deepen your understanding of ADHD and empower you with neuro-affirming strategies to support your child’s wellbeing and development.

Key topics you'll cover:

  • What is ADHD? Exploring myths and how ADHD is portrayed in mainstream media.
  • Understanding ADHD Traits: Executive functioning, self-regulation, dopamine seeking, demand anxiety, rejection sensitivity, and more.
  • Strategies for Success: Practical approaches to support your child’s emotions, behaviour, and learning.
  • Neurodivergent Families: Encouraging self-awareness and fostering self-care for both children and parents/carers.

By the end of the session, you’ll feel more confident in:

  • Understanding how ADHD traits impact emotions, behaviour, and learning.
  • Identifying and addressing potential barriers faced by children, parents/carers, and educators.
  • Implementing a range of neuro-affirming strategies to support ADHD children and young people effectively.

Session 1: 
Date: Thursday 6 February 2025, 10am to 11am
To book your place, please visit Eventbrite

Session 2:
Tuesday 11 February 2025, 1:30pm to 2:30pm
To book your place, please visit Eventbrite

Local Support Group Survey

One of DPCV's current initiatives is to build a comprehensive network of support groups available to parents and carers across Derbyshire. As you may know, DPCV's new website is under construction, and they plan to feature an interactive map highlighting the various support groups in the region.

To make this happen, they need your help! They've created a short survey and would appreciate it if you could take a few moments to complete it. By sharing details about any support groups you are aware of, whether it's a local coffee meet-up, or something more structured, you'll be helping us connect parents and carers in need of vital peer support.

Complete the Survey

Introduction to PDA Workshop

Hosted by Derbyshire Parent Carer Voice (DPCV), the event addresses a topic many of you highlighted in our latest survey as an area where support is greatly needed, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). DPCV are excited to offer 2 sessions of their 'Introduction to PDA', 1-hour support group talk designed for parents, carers, and professionals supporting children.

What is PDA?
This introductory session will provide an overview of PDA and is suitable for those supporting children up to 18 years old. While families with young people aged 18+ are welcome, the course focuses primarily on approaches for younger children due to time limitations.

In this session, you’ll learn about:

  • What PDA is
  • The effects of demands on children with PDA
  • How PDA can feel to a child
  • Helpful approaches to supporting PDA children
  • The role of rewards, praise, and sanctions
  • Important considerations for managing PDA
  • Resources and support services
  • A Q&A session (subject to availability)

Our trainers are experienced professionals and individuals with lived experience of PDA, including parents, carers, and professionals.

Date: Thursday 28 November 2024, 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Trainer: Kelly Evans
To book your place, please visit Eventbrite

Please note: Both sessions will cover the same content, so you only need to attend one. It is recommended to join the session 5-10 minutes prior to ensure your equipment is set up properly for a prompt start.

Newsletters

View the latest DPCV Newsletters or download a copy to share with friends and relatives.

Information

We provide support and information which we share with you via the DPCV website, face-to-face meetings, our newsletter which we distribute to parent and carers school's and other partners, and via social media.

Peer-to-Peer Support

Some of the best support and ideas come from talking with others in a similar situation who can empathise and share what works for them.

Events - Workshops and Specialist speakers

Information is power - we aim to keep you up to date with speakers on education, health and social care related matters.

View all DPCV Events