Aiming High for Disabled Children (AHDC) aims to ensure that parents are involved at a local level in strategic decision-making about the provision of services that their disabled children need. Involving parents and carers in planning and developing services is the best way of creating cost-effective, responsive services that work for families. Aiming High For Disabled Children St Helens - click here to access website
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In St Helens, anyone who would like to access Social Services for Children should telephone 01744 456600. The call will be referred to a new team, The First Response Team. This team is made up of Social Workers and Family Information Workers and will be able to identify the most relevant support for each individual. Click here to open more information. Services from the Aiming High For Disabled Children (AHDC): Better support for families is the transformation programme for disabled children's services. Launched in May 2007, AHDC is jointly delivered by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and the Department of Health (DH). St Helens Carers Centre have been commissioned to take forward the Parent Participation agenda in St Helens and are responsible for planning and coordinating Parent Participation Forums. In addition, the Carer Support Team offer information and advice to all involved in caring for child. We have gathered a range of information on services for both the Carer, the child and other family members. There are three main areas of information, click on a title to go to that area: PARENT CARER SERVICES - This document has been produced by the Carers Centre to provide information on services which support Parents and Carers of disabled children. Click here to open a copy The Centre has also produced a list of 'Frequently Asked Questions' which may assist some Parents and Carers. We acknowledge that not all the information may be relevant to all. Please click on each number to go to the answers. 1. How do I get a diagnosis for my child? 2. How do I find out more information in respect of out of school activities for my child? 3. What is available for siblings as they are impacted emotionally? 4. What do I need to do in order to get more services to support me in my caring role? 5. What do I do because school is not supporting my child in mainstream and he/she is struggling? 6. Since receiving the diagnosis I have not received any advice or direction in relation to who I can turn to for support, what can I do? 7. My child has not received a diagnosis but he/she is becoming very aggressive and has behavioural problems both at school and at home which has an impacted their progress at school. What can I do? 8. Do I need a diagnosis before I can submit a DLA claim? 9. What is a CAF and do I need one for my child? 10. I have a Child in Need meeting, what will it involve? 11. My child has incontinence issues, what can I do?
1.1. How do I get a diagnosis for my child? You need to speak to your GP and they will make a referral, or you can speak to the SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) and ask for your child to be discussed at the Multi Agency Planning Meeting. From this they could ask for an Educational Psychologist to complete an assessment and this will then be referred to the Paediatrician who will make the final diagnosis. SENCO 's are based within each school in the Borough.
2.
How do I find out more information in respect of
out of school activities for my child?
You can make a self referral to Barnardo's or the Carers Centre can make a referral on your behalf. However, you need to firstly establish what it is your child would benefit from. Click here for referral form. Barnardo's will usually only accept referrals when a social services assessment has taken place because some children fall out of the criteria, such as children with ADHD because this is not a recognised disability in St Helens. Barnardo's can provide support in a number of ways: 1) Provide sessions at the 4F centre in Rainhill where your child can be dropped off and play in a secure environment. 2) Barnardo's can also work with your child and can sometimes look at providing 1-2-1 support at clubs such as Brownies etc 3) Family Drop in sessions (no referral required) - click here for flyer Barnardo's Catalyst - 01744 27129 - Main office, has relocated to YWCA, Nunn Street, Parr. Make it Happen initiative – Money provided from the government to each school, until August 2011, including children from under privileged postcodes. You can ask school whether your child would be entitled to the money for out of school activities 818 CLUB - 677881/07885 981415 - Based at Windlehurst Youth Club. Various activities held, some costs involved. Youth Club - 01925 222907 - Based at Crownway Centre, Earlestown. 6 to 8pm each Wednesday. Suitable for children 12 and over. Cost of 50p per session plus snack bar available. 3. What is available for siblings as they are impacted emotionally? Young Carers can provide activities to children under 18 years whose life is affected significantly by the impact of being involved in caring for a family member who has a physical illness/disability, mental ill health, sensory disability or has problematic use of drugs or alcohol. Click here to open Young Carers Referral Form Click here to open Self Referral Form for the Young Carer to complete Once Young Carers receive the referral the Carer is placed on to Tier 1 and they will make contact with the Young Carer or their family to establish what the Young Carer would like and an assessment is carried out. The assessed level of need will influence where in the tier system the Young Carer will be placed and a potential start date for services will be identified SIBS - 01535 645453 - Sibs is a UK charity for people who grow up with a disabled brother or sister. They support siblings who are growing up with or who have grown up with a brother or sister with any disability, long term chronic illness, or life limiting condition. There are over half a million young siblings and over a million adult siblings in the UK. Siblings have specific needs that require attention at different stages of their lives, including relief of isolation, information, and strategies for coping with the situations they find themselves in. SIBS aim to enhance the lives of siblings by providing them with information and support, and by influencing service provision for siblings throughout the UK. Their long term vision is that each local authority in the UK will have a dedicated sibling service, providing sibling groups and one to one support for children who are siblings. www.sibs.org.uk
ST HELENS Active Engagement Team -
01744 677990 - Alexandra House, Borough Road. Work with
children 8 - 13 years of age who are at risk of being involved in
crime or anti-social behaviour, and who are willing to take part in
the scheme. Service currently under review, you will contact
the Youth Offending Team for updates when you ring the AET telephone
number
St Helens Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (5 Boroughs service) - 01744 454368 - The Elms, 50 Cowley Hill Lane, St Helens, WA10 2AW. Work with children up to age 16 who have severe, complex and persisting mental health issues, and their families. Referrals can be made by GP, Health Visitor, School or other professional 4. What do I need to do in order to get more services to support me in my caring role? We can contact Social Services or you can make a direct referral (see 'Social Care Services') and if you meet criteria your child will be assigned a disability social worker usually based at the Bridge Centre. However, there are some conditions that will not meet the criteria and they will not be assigned a disability social worker. CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES TEAM - 01744 673900 - The Bridge Centre, Lansbury Ave. The team work with disabled children aged 0 - 18 years and their families across the Borough. The team aims to support children and their families by offering a lead professional, coordinating support services, providing practical and emotional support and information. Each family's support plan is based on an assessment of the child's needs, and those of the Carer and family. Short break services for disabled children and young people: Following assessment of the child and Carer's needs, some families will access short breaks/respite. These include the following:
5. What do I do because school is not supporting my child in mainstream and he/she is struggling? Usually if your child is struggling an Individual Education Plan (IEP) will be in place and this will detail your child’s set targets for the term and can be condition specific. You should have been asked to sign to show you agree to the targets, and you can ask for the IEP to be reviewed at anytime. You can also get Parent Partnership (PP) involved if you do not feel you are getting support from school. PP will contact the school/SENCO and organise a meeting to discuss concerns. ST HELENS PARENT PARTNERSHIP - 677368 - Based at Bridge Centre, Lansbury Ave, Parr. Offer support and information to parents. Provide social opportunities and befriending. Run a support group on the first Wednesday of each month for parents of children with all types of learning difficulty. Have therapies, counsellor and crèche - flyer for drop in. Also offer training for parents and professionals covering communication, children's disorders and dealing with challenging behaviour. www.parentpartnership.org.uk 6. Since receiving the diagnosis I have not received any advice or direction in relation to who I can turn to for support, what can I do? You can telephone and request a parent pack from ADHD Northwest or ASD helpline ASPERGERS SOCIAL GROUP - aspergersthelens@hotmail.co.uk - Email to request place, currently have a waiting list. This group is run by volunteer parents and meets every other Sunday at Windlehurst Youth Centre, Gamble Ave. Have a range of activities for 10 - 16 year olds. Costs £2 per session.
Family Information Service
(FIS)
(32) - Park Road Centre, Park Road, 0800952 9523.
Click here to access online search facility covering many
services for parents, including those who are Carers. FIS now incorporates SureStart services.
FIS work with all children aged 0 - 20 and their families,
offering information such as:
KATE'S MATES - A Parent has arranged Social Evenings for 14 - 25 year olds and their parents. They take place at Travers Farm, Travers Entry, New Bold. There is no charge for the Young Person, and £3.50 for any accompanying adult (there must be an adult attending). Click here for latest flyer PARENT CARER SUPPORT GROUP - held at the Carers Centre on the last Wednesday of each month from 1pm to 3pm ADHD Support Group - meet regularly at the Carers Centre, please telephone us on 01744 675615 for details of next meeting
7. My child has not received a
diagnosis but he/she is becoming
very aggressive and has behavioural
problems both at school and at home
which has an impacted their progress
at school. What can I do?
Again a referral can be made to Parent Partnership BEST TEAM - The school can refer to this team and they will work with your child on both their behaviour and emotions. FAMILY SUPPORT TEAM - Provide advice regarding behaviour issues. Contact 07769163891. Active Engagement Team - service currently under restructure. for latest details, contact Youth Offending Service 677990, operations managers there will be able to offer latest information
8. Do I need a diagnosis
before I can submit a DLA
claim?
No, a DLA claim can be submitted and the details of how the behaviour impacts your child and your home environment will be detailed on the application form.
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9. What is a CAF and do I
need one for my child?
A Common Assessment Framework is a document that is used as a tool for parents to ensure all agencies involved with the child are documented and an action plan put in to place
10. I have
a Child in Need meeting,
what will it involve?
The meeting will invite all agencies involved with your child and the social worker assigned will chair the meeting and complete the minutes. All attendees will be advised to complete a report. The social workers report will supersede any CAF in place. Progress is being made to make this whole experience less daunting for parents following feedback from parents through Parent Participation The Parent Carer Forum is now fully established and it meets every 3 months, there are Day and Evening meeting. The aim of the Forum is to work together with parents, children, statutory and voluntary organisations to bring about positive changes for St Helens children, young people and their families. The Parent Carer Forum meets to give parent Carers the opportunity to share information and experiences, and to discuss and respond to issues raised. All parents and carers of disabled children and children with additional needs are welcome. Next Forum - March 2011, times and venues to be confirmed. To request a place at the next Forum, please ring the Carers Centre on 01744 675615 and ask to speak to the Parent Participation Support Worker Minutes of previous Forums are available from the Carers Centre There is a Parent Carer Support Group which is a more informal meeting for all Parent Carers and is held on the last Wednesday of each month from 1.00pm, at the Carers Centre. CITADEL ARTS CENTRE - The Citadel has a number of inclusive groups that people can get involved in that meet weekly to learn and have fun. Please see below a list of regular activities. To get involved call 01744 735436 or visit www.citadel.org.uk Arts & Crafts Club - (Ages 7-16) - Wednesday’s 5pm-7pm Drama - (Ages 7-11) - Tuesday’s 5pm-7pm - £ 5/£ 2.50 Drama - (Ages 12-15) - Tuesday’s 7pm-9pm - £ 5/£ 2.50 CONNEXIONS - 673057 - Based at Beacon Centre, College Street. Provide information, advice and guidance for 13 - 19 year olds, up to 25 if identified learning difficulties/disabilities, (with or without SEN) EQUIPMENT - See also 'Social Care Services/Occupational Therapy assessments' ACTION FOR KIDS - 020 8347 8111 A National Charity working with children and young people, their parents and Carers. Help to provide mobility aids, access work related learning and offer family support services www.actionforkids.org CHILDREN TODAY - 01244 335622 - Raise funds to provide specialist equipment for children with disabilities. www.childrentoday.org.uk LIVING MADE EASY - Launched by the Disabled Living Foundation, this site was created by an occupational therapist and has information on products for children and young people with disabilities. Includes a star rating system for suppliers, and a forum for parents and children to review and discuss products www.livingmadeeasy.org.uk/children NEWLIFE - 01543 462 777 - Provide grants for equipment for children. The equipment must be essential and disability relevant. All applications need to be supported by professionals who can specify the particular type of equipment required. www.newlifecharity.co.uk SAFETY EQUIPMENT SCHEME - 0800 952 9523 - This scheme, delivered by the Family Information Service, offers free equipment such as safety gates, locks for cupboards, window restrictors, fire guards and smoke alarms. Families are required to have a child under 5 years, and be in receipt of Income Support, Job Seekers, ESA, Tax credits and a valid NHS tax exemption form, DLA, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit. Further information can be obtained from a local Sure Start Centre or by calling the number above VISUAL AIDS FOR LEARNING - This website provides free downloadable visual aids which can be used use in a practical way to assist children with instilling routine in every day tasks www.visualaidsforlearning.com EVERY DISABLED CHILD MATTERS - in association with Irwin Mitchell Solicitors, has launched a template letter to help families with disabled children to gain an assessment for social care services. The letter is intended to help parents who have been told that their council will not assess their disabled child in relation to short breaks or any other specialist social care services. Information leaflet and the letter can be found at: www.edcm.org.uk/media/8269/assessment_letter.pdf
GENETIC ALLIANCE UK-downloadable booklet "Living Without a Diagnosis "for parents and carers. http://www.geneticalliance.org.uk/docs/living-without-a-diagnosis.pdf
It offers various sports, gym provision, accredited and recorded awards etc. it encourages young people to become more healthy, to enjoy and achieve and have fun. They are an equal opportunity service, fully accessible, the building is wheelchair friendly with a lift to the first floor rooms. If an individual has any additional needs the staff would assess suitability. They can bring a carer or support with them. Activities would be tailored to their abilities, however their staff are youth workers and not trained as care workers. There are no signers. Whilst every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of information provided to Carers, St.Helens Carers Centre do not undertake any liability for any error or omission. The products and services listed are not necessarily endorsed or recommended by St.Helens Carers Centre |
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