Parents say what they want for their disabled children

Children and parents have been asked for their views about a new programme to provide short breaks for children who are disabled.

A consultation event at Montecute School in Poole saw around 100 parents asked for their ideas about the kinds of short term breaks they would like to see provided for their children.

In January the Government announced that Bournemouth Borough Council, Dorset County Council and the Borough of Poole would be given almost five million pounds - spread over the next three years – to provide new short term break opportunities for children who are disabled.

Dorset County Council cabinet member for children’s services Toni Coombs said:

“Used in the right way the money for short breaks should help improve the quality of life for many families in the county.

“It’s important that we seek the views of the families when we develop the short breaks programme so that we’re giving them what they want and need.”

The first priority identified by most parents was that staff who look after their children should inspire their confidence and be able to enhance the self esteem of their children.

Parents said they are hoping for a variety of facilities, both specialist and inclusive. Some want special services such as a sensory room and buildings that have been adapted for use by children who are disabled.

Others give a priority to opportunities for their children to enjoy the same facilities as any other child, such as leisure, sport and holiday facilities.

‘Every school holiday it hits home – he doesn’t have a life. What do we do?’

‘We need a permanent drop in centre with a range of play facilities including a sensory room. This to be available at a variety of times including after school, weekends, school holidays etc.’

With these views in mind, the three local authorities and the two primary health care trusts will commission a range of short break services, starting with a number of play schemes to be available throughout the area during the summer holiday period.

The next consultation event will be in May. This will be designed to seek the views of existing providers of services.

There are 2,500 severely disabled children in Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole, including children with learning disability, autism and physical disabilities. (Source: multi-agency review of services for disabled children)

Short break services are provided by social care, by health services and by voluntary sector organisations.

Further details can be found at www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/socialcare/disabledchildren/aiminghigh/progress

Aiming High for Disabled Children: Better Support for Families (2007 Department for Education and Skills, HM Treasury) This report recognises the importance of flexible short term breaks for families, encourages local agencies to assess the need for short break services and to involve families in planning. It announced the short term breaks pathfinder programme.

The Children’s Plan (Dec 2007 Department for Children, Schools and Families)

Lays out the government’s commitments to children’s services including £340 million pounds over three years for services for disabled children and £90 million to improve facilities for short term breaks. It commits additional funding from the health service for disabled children.

As part of the pan Dorset Multi-agency Review of Services for Disabled Children in 2005, consultation with parents indicated they were looking for more flexible support solutions than those provided. Parents told agencies they wanted a range of support which could include: community and leisure activities, day care, family based short breaks, residential care with outreach support to their home and an increase in the number of parents accessing direct payments (where parents are supported to buy their own services).

Dorset County Council, Borough of Poole, Bournemouth Borough Council, Bournemouth and Poole Primary Care Trust and Dorset Primary Care Trust have been improving services to meet families’ needs in line with the recommendations of the Review.