Short Breaks Statement 2018-19
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Blackburn With Darwen Short Breaks Statement 2018/19 January 2019 Blackburn with Darwen Short Breaks Statement “Both my children access short breaks and I think the care provided is brilliant.” What are Short Breaks? 2018/19 Short Breaks Statement It is important that all children and young people have the opportunity to experience a range of different activities. For children and young people with disabilities we know that it is important to be able to access activities alongside siblings and friends, in a safe environment which at the same time allows young people to stretch boundaries. This benefits parents and carers too, by giving them valuable time away from caring which is so important to everybody’s quality of life. Short breaks aim to provide these opportunities. Depending on the needs of the child, young person and carer, provision can range from an hour a few times a week with a support worker to help access universal services in the community, ranging to a number of overnight breaks each year for those children and young people with complex needs. Short breaks can be provided by the local authority or other partners including health, as well as the private and voluntary sectors. Alternatively, the family can choose their own provider using a system of Direct Payments, which is part of our commitment to provide personalised services to our families. Throughout the document are some of the many positive comments that are received from families whose children regularly access short term breaks: Please email: [email protected] Or call: Duty on (01254) 503773 to discuss further. 2 Blackburn with Darwen Short Breaks Statement “Our carer has supported us for so long that she is now practically one of the family.” Purpose of this Statement 2018/19 Short Breaks Statement We know parents often find it difficult finding information they need, and so this statement sets out to help parents and carers understand: 1. the range of short breaks services available. 2. the criteria by which eligibility for services will be assessed. 3. how the range of services in Blackburn with Darwen is designed to meet the needs of our children with disabilities and their families. What is the criteria? There are a wide range of social opportunities available to all children and young people in the borough, including disabled children which are universally available to all. Additional short break provision is available to disabled children or young people aged 0 – 25 years of age. The sole criteria promoted by Blackburn with Darwen is need. In order to assess need, the social worker will talk to the child or young person and their carers and seek to understand: » views of the child and parents » methods of communication/how they choose to communicate » parenting capacity of the parents within their family » the length of time away from home and frequency of such stays » the potential impact on the child/ren’s place in the family and on their parents or carers (for example, the impact on siblings and how they may interact) » observation of the child – especially for children who do not communicate verbally – during or immediately after the break by a person familiar with the mood and behaviour of the child. » Can yours or your child needs be appropriately met via Universal Services. All assessments will consider the needs of both the child and carer and will not be in isolation. As a general rule, those with the highest levels of need will have access to higher levels of service, irrespective of age, race, religion, gender or the nature of impairment. Please email: [email protected] Or call: Duty on (01254) 503773 to discuss further. 3 Blackburn with Darwen Short Breaks Statement “My daughter loves going to Kaleidoscope.” How Can I Request an Assessment for my child? 2018/19 Short Breaks Statement The easiest way to request an assessment is via self-referral to Children’s Social Care (children aged from birth to 18 years) by telephoning the Referral Information Co-ordinators on (01254) 666400 or alternatively to Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) whereby a referral form needs to be completed by a professional that is working with the family. When a young person is aged 18 or over, please contact the Customer Liaison Team on (01254) 587547 Once this assessment is complete, and a short break has been identified as a need the social worker or child support officer will provide information about the range of services and breaks available and how often they will be required in order to meet the assessed need. The assessment will take into consideration the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 and the 1989 Children’s Act, as well as the Equalities Act 2010. Range of Short Breaks Services Available We have a range of services available to support parents and carers of children and young people with disabilities or assessed needs. These generally fall under two categories: those that are universally available to all and those that are targeted to meet the disabled children’s identified needs. The Local Offer (www.bwd-localoffer.org.uk) is the range of SEND services available in the local area and these are set out on a website which provides information to support children and young people with SEND and their families. This is to help children, young people and their families know what’s available, to be involved and make decisions about the support they need. The Local Offer includes details of services, information, advice and guidance: Education - Health - Social Care - Preparing for Adulthood Support & Mediation - Things To Do The Local Offer is regularly reviewed with children, young people, parents and carers. You can also have your say on how the Local Offer can be improved by emailing: Visit www.bwd-localoffer.org.uk or email [email protected] Please email: [email protected] Or call: Duty on (01254) 503773 to discuss further. 4 Blackburn with Darwen Short Breaks Statement “Going out with my carer is like going out with a big sister or friend.” Disability Links 2018/19 Short Breaks Statement Disability Links started out as the Disabled Children’s Register for Blackburn with Darwen. It is a voluntary service that can register any child that has a Special Education Need and/or a disability. The aim of the service is to provide information about all local groups and activities that support the needs of children with disabilities and their parents and carers. For further information please contact Ann Marie Pickering, Disability Links Co-ordinator on: (01254) 666711 or [email protected] Siblings ‘Sibs’ Group This is a specific group for the brothers and sisters of children with disabilities to spend some time together enjoying fun activities. The group has been hugely successful. It runs every Half Term Holiday week on a Wednesday from 10am – 1.30pm at Apple Trees. The group enables the siblings of disabled children to make new friends, participate in arts and crafts and other activities, with group outings also planned. For more information please contact Sharon Waterworth or Joanne Britwistle on (01254) 666787 Apple Trees Youth Club The club has gone from strength to strength. The club was developed specifically for children with disabilities, in a safe and well supported environment, where young people could meet new friends with similar needs and abilities, and develop independence skills. The club is specifically for children and young people with moderate disabilities aged from 8 years up to their 18th Birthday. The Club is supported by experienced staff and trained volunteers, and is free of charge, running from 6.30pm to 8.30pm on Mondays at Apple Trees. The club is available to children and young people registered to the Disability Links information service, however, places will no longer be offered to children and young people who also receive a package of social care support. Please contact Joanne Birtwistle on (01254) 666787 for more information. Universal Services/Activities What is meant by the term “Universal Services?” These are services that are accessible to all children and young people in the borough. A child or young person that has a Special Educational Need and/or a disability does not need a social care assessment in order to access these groups. Activities, such as cubs, brownies or scouts would fall into this category but equally families can choose to self-fund a specialist group run by a private provider. We have made every effort to ensure that universal services meet the requirements of children and families with additional needs so that these children and young people can access mainstream provision. These include provision of practical equipment such as pool hoists, shower alterations and ramps in order to make public buildings more accessible. These are some examples of provision available within the Borough – it is not an exhaustive list and is subject to change. Please email: [email protected] Or call: Duty on (01254) 503773 to discuss further. 5 Blackburn with Darwen Short Breaks Statement “Just knowing that my child is being looked after gives us the peace of mind we need to spend some time with our other children.” Provider Provision Details 2018/19 Short Breaks Statement After School After school clubs located on school premises or the Contact the individual school for details. Clubs clubs will transport children to an off-site venue Blackburn Inclusive football club. Training and competitive Contact Ben Gooden Tel: 07597 520 493 Community fixtures for children aged 5-15 years and young or go to www.bcsportsclub.com Sports Club people aged 16 and over.