Making Changes Together Website --the Durham Site

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the below is taken from the draft IV Durham Conference Report Thursday 12th November 2009 p8/9
http://www.budpak.co.uk/wsb3520757701/resources/Making+Changes+Together+IV+Conference+Report.pdf

Making Changes Together Website
 
www.mctdurham.co.uk  
 
This website has been set up by the steering group but currently has little content
because the Information Focus Group wanted to ask parents what they think
should be included before going ahead and adding lots of information. In tables,
attendees were therefore asked to discuss what they would like to see on the
MCT website.  


Key Points
 
• Rather than replicate other websites with lots of information, add clear links to
other relevant sites (e.g. County Durham’s Children’s Network, Contact a
Family, Sure Start, local Carer’s Centres and Parent Support Groups, School
Sites) but make sure the link takes you to the relevant page, not just the
home page of another website  
• Need to make sure other organisation’s websites have links to the Making
Changes Together website too  
• Add a useful telephone numbers page
• Ensure navigation of the site is simple by using headings so that families can
find out very quickly, the information they are looking for  
• Have sections on each of the Making Changes Together Focus Groups that
could include regular updates, meeting minutes, a place for parents to input
their views etc  
• Possibly have an informal chat room so that parents can easily share
information on what’s available, what works and what doesn’t etc  This could
also have a “ratings” system linked to it that services and places could aspire
to (e.g. if a family has a good experience they can give this a 5 star rating)  
• Give people details of local training opportunities
• Have a glossary of terms, jargon busters section that could include
explanations e.g. Common Assessment Framework, Eligibility Criteria ,
SENCO practice guidelines – shortened to be parent friendly
• Ensure there is an automated response to emails which explains to people
that their email has been received and will be replied to as soon as possible  
• Also include an explanation on the website about what would happen when
an email feeds into a Focus Group
• Include humour to keep the website user friendly and less formal  
• Include information for families about children who are undiagnosed, getting
diagnosed, and what happens when you get a diagnosis or don’t get a
diagnosis  
• Include a weekly updated news section  
• Look at getting professional assistance for the website to help with
maintenance, updating, systems for reporting abuse of the website etc  
• Have a calendar of events section which could give details of both Making
Changes Together Meetings and Conferences, Activities for Children and
other events organised by other agencies  
• Suggestion of including a blog for parents’ own individual stories
• The website will be as useful for professionals as it will be for parents to
inform and share  
• Possibly also include helpful information to include directions to places (e.g.
hospitals and GP surgeries)  
• Important to ensure the website is used as a two way communication tool –
sharing information and obtaining information are equally significant  
• Don’t rely too heavily on the website as there will always be families who do
have internet access  
• Any information on the website must be accurate and kept updated  
 
Summary
 
Don’t duplicate information already out there but make it far easier for families to access the information they need to find.