We can help disabled children and young people and those with complex health needs and their families in many different ways. We can help you to obtain support during difficult times. For example:
- where families need help at home
- where children or young people need something to do outside their home
- where carers need a break or support
- where children or young people are showing difficult behaviour
We can provide advice and information about organisations and specialist services that may be able to assist you.
What will happen first?
When you get in touch with us through the Children’s Initial Contact Point they will take some basic family details from you. They will also ask about your child’s condition and the things you would like help with.
If they feel that your situation needs to be considered by our specialist team they will send the details through to us. Our duty worker will then contact you to find out more about your needs and how we can work together to address them. This is normally done by telephone but if necessary a home visit can be arranged.
If we feel that a child / young person is in danger we will act quickly to protect them.
How we can help
Following on from your contact with the duty worker we may decide, with your agreement, to visit you and your child at home. This will enable us to make an assessment of your needs and discuss with you services that may be beneficial.
What is an assessment?
Before we can help you we need to know more about you and your family. This will normally involve collecting information, from you, your child and the professionals involved. We would however only contact other agencies with your permission. We would then talk things through with you and agree what might be done. We call this an assessment.
The purpose of the assessment is to draw up a plan of action to address your needs and how we might help with these. You will be given a copy of the assessment.
What can you expect from us?
Our work is governed by the Children Act of 1989. This law gives local councils the responsibility to provide assistance to children and families in need.
It states that we should seek the wishes and feelings of children and young people and it encourages Social Services to work as partners with families wherever possible.
Our work is also guided by the Carers' Act of 1995. This law states that we must listen to and help people caring for disabled children or young people and those with complex health needs.
We will treat anyone who uses our service with dignity and will offer people the same high quality service whatever their age, gender, disability, race, religion, culture or sexuality.
Useful Contacts
Barnardo's
(01274) 481183
The Family Fund – For grants for severely disabled children
Write to: The Family Fund,
PO Box 50,
York
YO1 2ZX
Disability Advice Bureau - General benefits advice for disabled people
(01274) 594173
Recreation - Bradford Sport and Recreation Association for People with Disabilities
(01274) 437093
Special Needs Database
If your child’s name is registered on the Database, you will receive information about services including Summer Play Schemes
For further information, please get in touch.
