Services for Disabled Children and their Families

What are our aims and objectives for services for disabled children?

To ensure that all disabled children are supported within their families and are fully included and valued members of their local communities.

Who is able to receive a service?

To receive a service a child must fall within the definition of a ‘child in need’. This will be decided by a social worker on completion of an Initial Assessment.

The Children Act 1989 defines disabled children as ‘children in need’ if;

• A child is disabled if he is blind, deaf or without speech or suffers from mental disorder of any kind or is substantially and permanently disabled by illness, injury or congenital deformity or such other disability as may be prescribed.

However as part of any assessment the Children Services Department would also look at how the child can access the same opportunities and choices available to all children and therefore considers whether:

• ‘the child or young person has a permanent physical, learning or sensory impairment, or a combination of these impairments, which significantly compromises their ability to access the day to day activities, or opportunities, available to their non-disabled peers.

To receive a service children and young people are likely to have one or more of the following impairments or conditions which impact on their life:

• Severe learning impairment;
• Severe and permanent physical impairment;
• Communication impairment which has permanent and substantial effect on the child’s life.
• A life-limiting health condition;
• Younger children with developmental delay;
• Sensory impairments.

How do you make a request for a service?

If your child is in need of a service, or you are in need of advice or support, contact the Social Care Team who will be able to help and refer you onto the local Disabled Children’s Team for an assessment of your child’s needs and the family’s need for support.

Where can you contact the Social Care Teams?

Macclesfield and Congleton
Telephone Number: 01625 534700

Crewe and Nantwich
Telephone Number: 01270 505100

How is the assessment undertaken?

• The Social Care Team will pass the referral on to the appropriate Disabled Children’s Team who will then carry out an Initial Assessment of the child or young person within seven working days.
• The referral will be allocated to a social worker who will make contact and arrange a visit to discuss the needs of the child and family.
• The social worker will also provide advice, guidance and support on a range of issues relating to the child’s disability.
• Leaflets are available explaining the Assessment Framework process for parents and children.

What services are available?

There are a range of services within Cheshire to support disabled children and young people including:

• Support in the family home – such as direct personal care to assist parents in the care of their child.
• Short break family based care – this is provided by linking children and young people with a foster family.
• Short break residential care – this is provided in the children’s centres based in Macclesfield, Ellesmere Port and Winsford for children and young people with more complex needs.
• Family support workers attached to the Disabled Children’s Teams – the workers provide activities for children particularly during school holidays giving the parents a break from their caring role.
• Other Services – The Children’s Services Department links with many other organisations across the County to provide other services, such as summer playschemes and after school clubs.

The Children’s Services Department can provide services themselves or parents and carers can purchase and manage their own support through the provision of Direct Payments. There is written information available about Direct Payments; ask your social worker for details following the initial assessment.

How is transition to adult services planned?

• If a young person has a statement of special educational needs, the Annual Review in Year 9 will initiate the transition planning for the young person. Connexions will provide young people and parents with a transition information pack at the review.
• Parents are fully included in the transition planning process. Connexions will produce a Transition Plan that is regularly reviewed to ensure an appropriate plan is in place by the time the young person reaches adulthood.
• At the age 18 the responsibility for social care provision will pass from the Children’s Services Department to the Community Services Department.

How can you make a Compliment or Complaint about services?

If parents wish to voice their views about the service being provided they can complete our Quality Standards Form provided at review meetings. It is important for the development of services that we know when services are delivering what families and young people want. If they are unhappy about the service they should raise this directly with the child’s social worker or the Team Manager. In addition if parents, or young people, wish to make a formal complaint they should request a copy of the Complaints leaflet which sets out the procedure.