- Information regarding support for children with special educational needs, including learning disability can be found on the Family Information Website.
- Newcastle Disabled Children's Register is co-ordinating and providing a quarterly newsletter.
We are delivering Key Working Services for families with disabled children which was piloted and evaluated by parents and carers between June 2007 and April 2008.
The Newcastle Speech and Language Team provide a seamless multi disciplinary service for young children with severe speech and language difficulties through a joint referral system between education and health. This has resulted in significantly improved outcomes for children and eradicated waiting lists for the Speech and Language Additionally Resourced Centre's (ARC). Many are now able to continue their education in their local school whilst having their speech and language needs met.
A wide range of sports, leisure and cultural activities are available to children and young people with LDD, particularly in special schools and ARCs, e.g. football coaching and Disability Dance in Newburn Activity Centre.
The Aiming High Access Fund has helped to ensure more young people access universal services.
The "Response" Anti Bullying Team is successfully raising awareness regarding bullying of children with disabilities.
Social Care:
Children with disabilities social work team provide support through assessment and planning for children with complex disabilities.
- 291 families are currently receiving a service from the team.
- 244 of the above families receive short breaks.
- 113 of the above families receive a direct payment.
- 19 children with complex disabilities are receiving full time care away from their families and 215 children are receiving care packages to support them living with their families.
- The Shared Care Service provides children and young people with disabilities from birth to aged 18 with a range of short breaks. There are currently (September 2010); 7 shared carers looking after 9 young people.
- Cheviot View is a short break unit offering overnight short breaks to 55 children aged between 6-18 years of age. The unit also provides an outreach service and befriending service.
- Social Care commissions a range of short breaks for children with disabilities including overnight stays and daytime provision.
- Partnership arrangements between Health and LA are in place for joint commissioning of short breaks for children with complex health needs.
Support for Parents/Carers:
Health:
Newcastle PCT total spend on learning disability (adults and children) for 2006/07 was £23 million; 12.6% of the total PCT spend (Robson et al 2008). This represented £7,753,393 per 100,000 population against an average of £5,090,432 in comparable PCTs. Thus Newcastle spent roughly £2 million more per 100,000 population. The absolute overspend on learning disability in 2006/07 was £7,914,979.
The Specialist Community Learning Disabilities Team aims to improve independence and health outcomes for people with learning disabilities.
NHS North of Tyne are developing a comprehensive action plan to address the recent findings of the Healthcare Commission. Current work includes ensuring access to advocacy for service users in patient settings and reviewing admission, discharge and care planning policies to ensure admissions are focused on assessment and treatment as part of an integrated pathway.
Newcastle Hospitals Trust:
Provide care and support for children with learning disabilities who have a physical or medical needs identified, both at school and in a range of community settings.
This is provided by:
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Community Children’s Nursing Service
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Pre-school Therapy Services including Physiotherapy and Speech and Language Therapy
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Training for carers, formal and informal, to enable children to access universal services
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Actively participate in transition at all key stages of children’s life into adult services
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Employ therapy staff who work into the specialist’s evaluation provision in the organisation:
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Occupational Therapists
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Physiotherapists
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Speech and Language Therapists
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Ensure safe discharge for children who are inpatients of the Great North Children’s Hospital
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Staff being trained in Equality and Diversity etc
Support for Parents/Carers:
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The Newcastle Parent Partnership provides information and support for parents/carers of children and young people with special education needs.
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There is a Parent/Carer Participation Worker for children with disabilities.
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North East Special Needs Network provide support to parent/carers of children and young people with disabilities.
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Partnership arrangements are in place with the voluntary sector to provide short breaks for children with complex health needs.
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The Direct Payment scheme is now 50% of all children with disability commissioned services and shows a determined year on year incremental growth reflecting direct payments as a growing choice for parents. Direct payments also appear to be reaching some groups such as BME families who traditionally have not accessed services. The increase in payments suggests that families find this a valuable resource and appreciate the flexibility that it gives them.
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The Individual Budget pilot completes in March 2011 and the 21 families using the pilot report that their increased choice and control drives better outcomes for disabled children
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The Investing in Children Accreditation is increasing among services for children and young people with learning disabilities and difficulties.
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Key working arrangements are receiving positive feedback.
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There are clear governance arrangements established for learning disability and difficulties services.
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An Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Pathway is being developed.
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Joint commissioning arrangements including pathways for children with life limiting conditions.
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The High Care Needs System ensures multi-agency assessment and service planning for the child with the most complex needs.
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The Children with Disabilities and Special Needs Management Partnership ensures a cross agency strategy for LDD children is being delivered.
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There are clear lines of governance between the Parent/Carer Participation Group and Children with Disablities and Special Needs Management Partnership.
The Transition Steering Group is now well embedded and there is an agreed set of priorities informed by parent/carers, children and young people.