East Lothian Council is committed to forging a close partnership with Parent Councils, Parents and the wider community. The Education & Children's Services Department encourages the formation of Parent Councils within all Schools. 40 Parent Councils have been formed since August, 2007.

The Principal Officer, Business Unit, provides information, advice and support to Parent Councils in carrying out their functions. The Department recognises the importance of promoting a positive working partnership with Parent Councils and regular consultation will take place on a wide range of issues.

The Department will provide summary reports and action from all meetings of the Committee for Education, which will be issued to all Parent Councils. Any items of interest to individual Parent Councils can then be used to communicate with the wider parent forum.

The East Lothian Association of Parent Council Members has been formed and meet once per term. Two representatives from each Parent Council are invited to attend the meeting at which the Director and Head of Education will be present and normally a guest speaker. These meetings are held to enable the Departmental officials to consult with, share information, and seek the opinion, of Parent Council members.

Cluster meetings of Parent Council representatives will be held in each of the six cluster areas on an annual basis, normally during the months of January and February. The purpose of these meetings is to give Parent Councils the opportunity to submit Agenda items and to meet with the Director and Head of Service together with the Convenor and Vice Convenor of the Committee for Education. They will give Parent Councils the opportunity to enter into discussion with Departmental officials and Councillors.

It is recognised that training has an important role to play and a series of training sessions are provided in response to the needs of Parent Council members. These sessions will cover such topics as Recruitment & Selection Training, Induction Training for new Parent Council Members, Effective Communication and Effective Membership of a Parent Council. Training sessions for Parent Council Clerks and Parent Council Chairpersons will also be offered.

It is also recognised that there is a need to expand Head Teachers expertise on working with Parent Councils and a course will be offered to provide useful training and information in this area in due course.