I wanted to share some really positive news and to say a heartfelt thank you to the West Sussex Parent Carer Forum (WSPCF) for the incredible work they have been doing behind the scenes.
Over the past few months, WSPCF have:
• Collated family stories to share directly with WSCC and the ICB, making sure our children’s experiences will be heard at the highest levels
• Listened carefully to the concerns raised by parents across West Sussex
• Agreed to share our SPOA declines and evidence with their contacts so the reality cannot be ignored.
And now, they are going even further.
WSPCF are working with the Local Offer team to ensure that families and schools are finally directed to the new selective mutism training webinars released by the West Sussex Educational Psychology department — and that the SMIRA website is clearly linked too.
This is a big change.
And while improving the Local Offer and council website has always been part of our petition, we never asked them to do this — they chose to, because they recognise the gap and want to help fix it.
I am so grateful for their support, their kindness, and their commitment to making sure no child with selective mutism is left without guidance.
⭐ Evidence: Families Are Still Being Declined
I have also shared with WSPCF a SPOA decline dated just yesterday.
Despite the joint WSCC and ICB statement encouraging families to “come forward” and contact SPOA for support, the letter makes it clear — in SPOA’s own words — that the support we are being directed to simply does not exist.
This is why our campaign matters.
This is why we keep going.
⭐ Something big is happening on Monday…
I can’t say anymore just yet — but something significant is happening on Monday that will help take this campaign to the next level.
More updates coming soon.
⭐ How you can help right now
You can continue to support this campaign by sharing the petition in your WhatsApp groups, school chats, and social media accounts. Every share helps another family find us — and strengthens our voice.
Thank you, truly, for using your voices to help West Sussex children have one too.
Jo 💛