Children with Disabilities
The Children with Disabilities Team works with children (between the ages of 0 - 18 years) and families where a child has a severe learning, physical or sensory disability and which causes them significant difficulty in their daily living. We also work with children who have life threatening illnesses. The aim of the team is to provide support to help these children live with their families and enjoy the same opportunities and expectations as other children.
In the majority of cases we work directly with children and families together with other relevant agencies including Health and Education to provide support to children and their families in order to meet their assessed needs.
The Children with Disabilities Team also has an Occupational Therapist who undertakes assessment in respect of children with disabilities who may require specialist equipment or adaptations to the family home.
The Team works to the principles and requirements of the legislation regarding children and disabled people.
Finding out what support you need? (Assessment of Need)
Before we can offer you help, we need to find out exactly what kind of support you need. We do this through the assessment process.
Children and young people with disabilities have a legal right to have their needs assessed (and the needs of their carers) on request. To help get the clearest picture of your child’s needs we may need to consult with Health, Education and any voluntary agencies involved.
Once our assessment confirms that your child meets the criteria for the team and highlights to us what support services you need, we will start putting them in place.
Services we may be able to offer (subject to eligibility)
Keyworker, and linking with other services eg: Health, Education.
Short break (respite) facilities.
Benefits advice.
Aids/adaptations.
Home Care support.
Community support.
Advice regarding registered charities.
Information on other organisations, which provide support.
Written contributions to the educational statementing process.
Carers assessments.
Young Carers project.
More information about the services
Short breaks – family link: This service can provide regular short breaks including overnight stays by linking the child with a disability to another family. The service offers breaks for parents and new experiences for the child. Link families undergo a rigorous assessment and receive payment and ongoing support.
Community Support: The Children with Disabilities Team works very closely with the Barnardos project based in the Blaenau Gwent area. This service enables a disabled child to get involved in community activities with the support of a Barnardos support worker.
The support worker will assist the child to participate in activities within their Community to help the child to feel part of their community and to develop their social and independence skills e.g. youth club, swimming club, visiting places of interest, etc.
The team in conjunction with Barnardos, can also where assessed as being required arrange for a support worker to provide a “home sitting” service to enable parent(s) to have a break.
Barnardos also run a summer Playscheme for children with disabilities.
Home Care: Home Care is offered to provide practical support in the child’s home e.g. help with personal care.
How do I get support from the Children with Disabilities Team?
If you have a child with disabilities and wish to make use of any of these services, you will first need to have your child’s needs assessed by a social worker.
http://www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk
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