Support through transition

sitting_pretty_2 I am not a professional but a parent of a child with severe disabilities who wants to help other families navigate their way through the Transition process from children's services into adult services.

I have set up a blog site called

www.transition-matters.blogspot.com

- not to promise miracles because I can't, but to help parents and carers with disabled youngsters between the ages of 14 -19 who may be feeling stressed or isolated to see a view of someone who has been there, done that and got the t.shirt.

I would welcome suggestions and comments from families who may have found their own solutions and would like to share them with others.

Wendy

Targeting children's centre services on the most needy families

LGA This report provides evidence of how children's centres are targeting the most disadvantaged families.

It explains how local authority and children's centre staff are defining, identifying and prioritising families in greatest need of support, and the practical implications of targeting for local authorities, for children's centres and for policy.

The report is based on a review of policy and research, together with case studies of work in six English local authorities. The report discusses definitions of need, sources of data, methods of reaching identifying families and systems for monitoring and review. The report features a concept map, practice examples and recommendations for considerations by policy-makers and practitioners.

See the report here.

DPAC is about disabled people and their allies

dpac DPAC is UK-based but we know that disabled people in other countries are suffering from austerity cuts and a lack of fundamental rights. We welcome all to join us in fighting for justice and human rights for all disabled people.

Disabled people should not be the scapegoats for the financial mistakes of governments, should not be constantly told that there is no money to support them by millionaire politicians. We will not tolerate further erosion of our living conditions or our human rights, nor will we sit quietly while they try to take our rights away.

DPAC was formed by a group of disabled people after the 3rd October mass protests against cuts in Birmingham, England. The 3rd October saw the first mass protest against the austerity cuts and their impact on disabled people-It was led by disabled people under the name of The Disabled Peoples' Protest.

For the website, click here.

Special Education Needs National Advice Service in England

boy_in_wheelchair_2 Contact a Family has been awarded the Department for Education contract to establish a new country-wide service for families of children with special educational needs.

The Special Education Needs National Advice Service offers comprehensive advice and information to parents in England who have a child with SEN, additional needs or disabilities, on any aspect of their child's education including:

Early years
Individual Education Plans (IEP's)
Statutory Assessment/ Statements
Transition planning and education after 16
Appeals
Disability discrimination.

The service also provides advice on general education issues affecting children with SEN such as transport to school, bullying, exclusions and school attendance.

The service forms part of Contact a Family's integrated helpline and online service for families of disabled children.

Anyone needing advice and information about their child's education can call Contact a Family's helpline (0808 808 3555),

visit http://www.cafamily.org.uk/families/SEN

or post a query on facebook (http://www.facebook.com/contactafamily)

or twitter (http://twitter.com/contactafamily)

or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.