Volume 3 Issue 7
The Children's Plan
A regional training day for Parents on theDisability Discrimination Act facilitated byShirley Crosby from IPSEA Independent Panel for Special Educational AdviceTuesday 4 March 2008 from 10.00am - 3.00pm at The Centre for Life, Newcastle
The day is free for parents and will include lunch. All places must be booked.
For further information and to request an application form contact Gill Burnett on 01642 201872 or email Gill.burnett@middlesbrough.gov.uk
The Children’s Plan
Building Brighter Futures Department for Children, Schools and Families
This ambitious plan, published in December 2007, aims to make England the best place in the world for children and young people to grow up ‘by putting the needs of families, children and young people at the centre of everything we do’.
The government suggests that while there are more opportunities for families and children now than ever before, parents say they sometimes find it hard to cope with a rapidly changing world. Targets in the plan, to be achieved by 2020, are based on wide ranging consultation and five principles underpin the plan, which are:
- Government does not bring up children, parents do so government needs to do more to back parents and families.
- All children have the potential to succeed and should go as far as their talents can take them.
- Children and young people need to enjoy their childhood as well as grow up prepared for adult life.
- Services need to be shaped by and responsive to children, young people boundaries and families, not designed around professional boundaries.
- It is always better to prevent failure than tackle a crisis later.
To read the full summary go to TSO or Tel: 0870 6005522
OAASIS - Office for Advice, Assistance, Support and Information on Special Needs
OAASIS provides information to parents, carers and professionals on many of the major learning disabilities and all related SEN issues. Services include:- Information sheets on individual learning disabilities and SEN topics.
- First guides – a series of publications for parents, carers and teachers on SEN conditions.
- Information Service helpline.
Helpline Tel: 01590 622880
Fax: 01590 622687
Email: oasis@cambiangroup.com
Website Oasis
Or write to
Freepost
RLYY-TAUC-YRYS,
OAASIS,
1-2 Brock House,
Grigg Lane,
Brockenhurst,
Hampshire,
SO42 7RE
Positive Strategies to Survive the Stresses and Strains of being a Parent
A Share Plus training course specially adapted for parents of children with learning and/or behaviour difficulties.This course, to be held in Easington District, is one of a series being rolled out throughout County Durham during the school year. It comprises of 4 x 2 hour sessions to run weekly from Wed. 5 March 2008 from 10.00am - 12 noon at
Lee House, Yoden Way, Peterlee.
Topics to be covered include
- Supporting your child’s learning.
- Managing behaviour at home.
- Looking after yourself.
This course is to be offered in other parts of the county later in the school year. Watch out for details in future issues of ‘What’s going On’
Contact a Family for families with disabled children
To get in touch, Tel: 0191 2136300 or email northeast.office@cafamily.org.ukPublications News
CAF have now updated more of their factsheets. They include
- Holidays, Play and Leisure.
- Disabled children’s services in England and Wales.
- Preparing for adult life and transition.
There is also a new version of When Your Child has Additional Needs booklet available now. Copies of all factsheets are available on the above number or can be downloaded from the website at Contact a Family
Help for Families with Tax Credits
CAF has been working with Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs to improve the accuracy of tax credit calculations for families whose child receives DLA. Many families have not realised that they need to tell HMRC if their child is awarded DLA, but in fact their tax credit calculation can be more generous if they have a disabled child. HMRC are planning to double check tax credits already awarded but this will take time. CAF helpline is happy to check your tax credits for you. Ring 0808 8083555 Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm or Mon Evenings 5.30pm to 7.30pmEasington District Carers Support
Parent carer group dates
Monday 4 February 2008 Pamper morning Complimentary therapyMonday 10 March 2008 Coffee Morning and quiz
All sessions to be held at 10am to 12noon, Easington District Carers Office, 5th Floor, Lee House, Peterlee
For further details Tel: 0191 5869134.
The Nurture Group Network
Helping children to succeed
Nurture groups in the Northeast- Ever heard of Nurture groups within education
- Interested in finding out more
- Need new ideas and support to develop your existing Nurture groups within school
The Nurture group network has recently appointed a network Co-ordinator for the Northeast. He is Simon Lidguard who works at the Village Primary School in Thornaby. He has been working with the Nurture class for 3 years and has written several published articles on Nurture groups. One of Simon’s roles is to promote, support and establish such groups throughout the Northeast. To contact him for more information ring 01642 676768 or email slidgard@village.stockton
County Durham Autistic Support Group
Darlington Support Group Meetings
First Thursday of the month at Darlington Educational Village, Salters Lane South at 10.00am 7 February, 6 March and 3 April, 8 May, 5 June, 3 July.These are informal information sharing meetings where parents can come along and discuss their support needs and how CDASG can assist them. Tea and coffee is provided and children are welcome.
Stanley Support Group Meetings
Next informal meeting to be held on Thursday 7 February 2008 at 1.00pm at the Child Development Centre, Annfield Plain
Everyone welcome for a cup of coffee and chat. Other meetings arranged for 1.00pm Thursday 6 March and Thursday 24 April.
Pool Parties
are arranged at Spennymoor Leisure Centre on the following Saturdays from 6.15pm - 9.15pm 19 April, 5 Jul and 27 September.
CDASG has exclusive use of the pool and refreshments are provided. These are served at the side of the pool towards the end of the evening. The cost is £3 per person and free for special needs.
As places need to be booked for catering purposes contact Helen for an application form. These can also be downloaded from the website cdasg.org.uk
