Campaigning at local level - advice for parents
RNIB is anxious to see services for blind and partially sighted children protected during these difficult financial times and we will do what we can to help safeguard existing provision.
Below is some general guidance on putting together a response to changes that local authorities are proposing to make to services. Our Regional Campaigns Officers are happy to advise at a local level on how to gather and present the views of key stakeholders. We can also submit an official RNIB response to any formal consultations which we are made aware of.
RNIB is happy to respond to direct approaches from parents and in terms of making a strong case the view of parents are particularly important. RNIB's focus in any response has to be on protecting services rather than preserving jobs and any part we play needs to be sensitive to local circumstances.
General guidance
Our Regional Campaigns Officers can assist with any of the following steps. Their contact details are given below.
1. What are the proposed changes?
Find out details of the exact proposals the local authority are putting forward. If it is a public consultation, the local authority will produce a consultation document which should include details of the proposals, how you can respond and when the deadline for responses is.
2. What is the impact?
Find out if the authority has considered the impact of their proposals on the children and young people concerned. Local authorities have a legal obligation to assess the impact of their decisions and will usually do so using an Equality Impact Assessment (EIA). An EIA is a public document, should be provided on request and will form an important part of preparing a challenge.
3. Strength in numbers.
The more people respond to the proposals the better, especially if they include parents whose children may be affected. RNIB can help here by contacting parents to ask for their views and building these into our response, but we need help in knowing who to approach. Local authorities may also consult directly with parents whose children may be affected by the proposals.
4. Contact the people responsible for the decision.
For most councils, the decision making body is the Cabinet. There will usually be a Cabinet Member responsible for Children's Services to whom parents could write. The Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee for Children may also have influence as they are a way of holding the Council to account for decisions it makes. It may also be possible for a parent to ask a question at a Full Council meeting.
All information about council members, committees, details of meetings etc. and how to raise questions can be found on the local authority website or by contacting the council's Committee Services team.
5. Contact your local representatives.
Parents may wish to visit their local ward councillor and local MP to express their views and ask for their help. The ward councillor may have a vote on this particular issue and may also be able to influence other colleagues. Local MPs are not responsible for local authority services but a letter from them may make the council think about the decision they are making.
6. Gather wider support.
Depending on the scale of the proposals, it may be possible to gather public support for a campaign. The media can be a great way of highlighting the problem to a large audience. Someone directly affected by the proposals will make a powerful story. Parents may also wish to consider using other tactics such as a petition to show the council the strength of feeling about an issue locally.
Contact Us
Contact your Regional Campaigns Officer for further advice and support:
North East
Henri Murison
Tel: 0191 234 5409
Henri.Murison@rnib.org.uk
Yorkshire / Humber
Roy Ruddick
0113 386 2808
Roy.Ruddick@rnib.org.uk
North West
Lindsay Armstrong
Tel: 0151 298 3233
Lindsay.Armstrong@rnib.org.uk
West Midlands
Rebecca Swift
Tel: 0121 665 4260
Rebecca.Swift@rnib.org.uk
East Midlands
Claire Kay
Tel: 01509 632 403
Claire.Kay@rnib.org.uk
East of England
Emily Papaleo
Tel: 01603 455 767
Emily.Papaleo@rnib.org.uk
South West
Tara Melton
Tel: 0117 934 1707
Tara.Melton@rnib.org.uk
London
Richard Holmes
Tel: 020 7391 2112
Richard.Holmes@rnib.org.uk
South East
Eleanor Bullimore
Tel: 020 7391 2388
Eleanor.Bullimore@rnib.org.uk