Children with Disabilities

If your child is sick or disabled they may already be receiving treatment and/or support from your GP, health visitor, hospital doctors, nurses and physiotherapists. We have a team of specialist social workers who work with sick and disabled children and their families to offer additional support.

Practical help

There are services provided by us, or carers from private or voluntary agencies, to help in caring for your child or to help you care for other children.

For the services we provide, a social worker will assess your needs and let you know what services your child is eligible for. Based on this assessment there are four possible routes to receiving services:

• Financing services through the benefits you receive from the Benefits Agency.
• We may offer you financing to which you may be required to contribute.
• We may offer you a direct payment so you can organise the service you need for yourself.
• Financing them yourself.

Short breaks

Short breaks are provided to give you a rest and to give your child some new experiences away from home.

• The Take-a-Break scheme links your child with another family or carer who can provide care at an agreed time convenient for you.
• There are residential units which provide short breaks (respite) for some children and young people.
• There is also support available from the Community Childminding Service.

Other help available

• If your child needs extra help in school or nursery, we may be able to provide this.
• An Educational Psychologist may assess your child and work with you to meet their needs in a mainstream school, a special unit attached to a mainstream school, or a specialist school.
• If your child needs a statement of special educational needs, the Parent Partnership Officer can advise and help you with this.  Parent Partnership can be contacted on 01296 383754.