Volume 3, Issue 4
January 2007
Termly Newsletter from Durham Parent Partnership Service
The 2007 North East Regional Parent Partnership Services Annual Conference‘Involvement and Inclusion’
Ushaw College, Durham Thursday 17 May 9.30am - 3.15pm
Over 200 free places available to parents and carers of children with special educational needs from across the North East. The day includes a wide variety of workshops to help you understand and support your child’s learning difficulties, plus information stands, refreshments, lunch and crèche for under fives. Places must be booked in advance.
For further information or to book a place, please contact Ann Wilkinson at Durham Parent Partnership Service on 0191 5873541.
Durham Parent Partnership Management Group
We are in the process of expanding our Management Group and would welcome parent representatives from across the County. Meetings are to be held once a term in Central Durham.For further information ring Elaine Chandler on 0191 5873541.
Parents’ views increasingly need to be represented on a range of working parties and steering groups set up by the Local Authority. As a result of this level of involvement, parents will become more informed in how Children and Young People’s Services work in Durham and can be part of the decision making process. If willing we are able to put parents in touch with other services that also require parent representation.
New Support Group
There is a new group for parents of children with physical difficulties and teachers of children with physical disabilities. It meets every few weeks to have lunch and share information. They invite guest speakers of interest to parents, teachers and support staff and have some older pupils who also attend.The meetings are open to all parents, carers, teachers and support staff.
For further details ring: Parent Partnership on 0191 5873541 Or Wendy Stafeckis on 01740 656998
Dyslexia SOS Course - January 2007
Parent Partnership has again teamed up with the Community Education Service to offer a repeat of this useful course, which will run in the early evening.The ten week programme is aimed at giving parents a better understanding of dyslexia and strategies to support their child’s learning. The new tutor for the course is Sheila Harrison and completion of the course offers the option of a possible accreditation if a portfolio is required.
The course will be held at County Hall, Durham, on Mondays between 4.30 and 6.30pm. (during term time) and is free to parents.
The first session takes place on 22 January 2007.
A few places are still available. For further information or to book a place please contact Ann on 0191 5873541.
The National Autistic Society
One Day help! programmeMonday 26 March 2007 - 9.30 – 3.15pm
College of St Hild & St Bede, Durham University.
- Does your child have an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) with a fairly recent diagnosis?
- Is he/she aged 3 -12?
- Do you require information about your child’s rights and entitlements to services and welfare benefits?
- Do you require an overview of ASD’s and tips on communication?
The programme is presented by Wendy I’Anson and Sara Hounsell of the NAS help! team. For further information ring Marie Russell on 0191 2263621 or Wendy I’Anson 0n 0191 2263616
County Durham Autistic Support Group
10th Birthday ConferenceDurham County Hall
Saturday 3 March 2007 9.25 to 4.00pm
Speakers:
Helen Geldard RGN.RM.MA.Autism
‘Understanding Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders and using Strengths and Differences to Manage Behaviour’.
Lynne Moxon BA, MSc, PGCE, C.Psychol, AFBPsS, Chartered Psychologist.
‘Making Learning Happen for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders’.
For further details ring 01388 819880.
New Behavioural Services
Tri-State Learning Centre Inc (TLC)is a new agency that will provide behavioural services to individuals with Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorder and related behavioural disorders. TLC offers a broad range of services that will include, but is not limited to:
- Home & school behavioural analysis therapists.
- ABA program reviews and assessments.
- Community training.
Contact Joanne Liddle on 01429 269698 or email joanneliddle839@btinternet.com
Contact a Family News
New CAF publications are now available for families. These can either be downloaded from the website at Contact a FamilyOr by calling the Northeast office on 0191 2136300 for a free copy.
Choose from:
- Benefits Checklist for Parents
- Concerned about your Child’s Development
- Understanding your Child’s Behaviour
- Finding and paying for childcare
Podcasts
For IT buffs the following publications can be downloaded from the CAF website as an audio file in MP3 format or ‘Podcast’
- When your child has additional needs
- Fathers factsheet
- Growing Up, Sex and Relationships - booklet for young disabled people.
- Growing Up, Sex and Relationships - booklet to support parents of young disabled people.
Contact a Family Local Volunteer Representatives
The local volunteer representatives are parents of disabled children. For local information in the following areas, please give them a call; they will be only too happy to help.
Kash Malik – Asian Communities 0191 2411142
Helen Geldard – County Durham01388 819880
Contact a Family’s National Freephone Helpline for parents of disabled children is open from Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.(& 5.30 – 7.30pm Monday) 0808 808 355
The text phone number is 0808 808 3556
And Language Line is available for parents whose first language is not English
Every Child Matters
An on-line directory for young people has recently been developed for County Durham. The directory contains a range of information on children’s issues as well as information that will be useful both to those caring for young people and young carers. The directory can be found at: Every Child Matters
If users have any queries about the directory they can contact Matthew Bell, Project Worker by writing to:
Matthew at Every Child Matters Database (ISA)
Children and Young people’s Services
Durham County Council
Room 2-111
County Hall
Durham
DH1 5UJ
Tel. 0191 3833035
Direct Payments for Children who have a Disability
Would you like to choose what type of care your child receives?If your child has been assessed by Social Care and Health as being eligible for services because they have a disability, then you may want to consider Direct Payments. The scheme allows local authorities to offer cash payments to parents of eligible children with a disability as an alternative to providing or arranging services directly for them. This allows the child’s parent to have more flexibility to choose whether they wish to employ someone to care for the child or arrange and buy services directly. Contact Social Care & Health on 08458 505010
