Partnership working between professionals is only meaningful and effective when it includes parents as partners.
During the consultation process on this guidance, parents frequently commented that they were consulted after decisions had been made or plans prepared. Supporting children's learning: The Code of Practice is being revised in 2009 and restates good practice in relation to communicating with parents. This is repeated in full here as it addresses the points raised by parents during consultation. The good practice outlined here is also in line with the Getting it right for every child approach of identifying a lead professional. When two or more agencies need to work together to provide help to a young person and their family, there should be a lead professional to coordinate that help and link with parents and the child or young person.