ISSUE 1 This Is News! - Leeds Parent Partnership Service

Issue 1 Easter 2008This Is News!The FREE termly newsletter for families with a child withadditional needs.Aiming High for Disabled Children!!ISSUE 1Win £50 worth ofHigh Street vouchers....Think of a catchy name for thenewsletter (together with a logo) andyou could be in with a chance of winning£50 worth of vouchers.Photo courtesy of Parent Parnership Service,Back left - Jennifer McHale, StudentBack right - Jane Midgley, Learning MentorFront right - Brittany BoyesFront left - Carly WrightSend your entries to The Family HubLeeds City Council, Early Years Service, 6thFloor East, Merrion House,FREEPOST, NEA 4600, Leeds LS2 3YY

Hello and welcometo the very first issue of this newsletter.The Family Hub is a new service in Leeds, helping signpostand inform families and carers of anyone who has a learningdifficulty or disability.Our aim is to produce this newsletter termly (three times ayear), to inform parents/carers of upcoming events, thingsto do for the family during the school holidays and localand national changes in government legislation and how itaffects you.This newsletter is for families and we want families to bepart of this newsletter. As part of the launch of thisnewsletter we’re asking families to come up with ideas fora name for the newsletter and a logo. There will be a prizefor the winner of the best name. See the back page for details.Also if you think families should be aware of events, newsor updates then please let us know.To receive futher issues of this magazine direct to yourdoor or by email please fill in the questionnaire on the backpage.Enjoy this PublicationThe editiorial teamContentsPage 3 Local and National newsPage 4 -9 Play, leisure and childcarePage 10 InclusionPage 15The Family Hub gives families adviceon childcare, services for families,sport and leisure activiites.Contact them at:-0800 731 06400113 247 4386email:- family.hub@leeds.gov.ukwww.thefamilyhubleeds.org

Aiming High ForDisabled ChildrenIn May 2007, the government published“Aiming High for Disabled Children” whichsets out how services should beworking together to improve outcomes fordisabled children by providing better andtimely support to families. The agendais specifically looking at improving thefollowing areas; better and more shortbreaks, access to child care for workingparents of disabled children, participationthrough parents groups and forums andimproved transition for disabled youngpeople, to adult services. To supportimprovement in these areas, there isadditional funding of £340 million acrossthe country, and the majority of this isto go into funding more and better shortbreak services. More information on“Aiming High for Disabled Children” canbe found on the “Every Disabled ChildMatters” website” which helps keepparent and professionals up to date withnews in respect of services to disabledchildren, http://www.edcm.org.ukChris Finnigan was appointed in July tosupport the development of services fordisabled children in the city and she willlead on implementing the Aiming Highagenda. The short break funding will beavailable from April 2009 and will be usedto support children with additional needsto access play and leisure services intheir communities, if this also providesparents with a break, as well as for morespecialist short breaks which areusually provided through Health andSocial Care. In order to use this moneyas well as can we have to make surewe are doing what parents, children andyoung people need. Chris has alreadyconsulted with a number of parents andparents groups and will continue to dothis but if you would like to get in touchwith her directly she can be contactedby email, chris.finnigan@leeds.gov.uk,phone, tel 247 8667 or by letter at Floor2 East, Merrion House, Merrion Centre,Leeds LS2 8QBOne of the other areas that Chris isworking on is developing a family linkwhich will be used to send informationout to families with a disabled child, likethis newsletter, and enable services toconsult with families more effectively.You can fill in the form on the last page.We will continue to update you in respectof the “Aiming High” agenda through thisnewsletterEd Balls MP with RobynEd Balls is the MP for Normanton, WestYorkshire and the Secretary of State forChildren Schools and Families, one of hiskey aims is the promotion ofEvery Disabled Child Matters and theAiming High agenda, read more aboutthis next issue.Remember,think of a catchy namefor our new Family Hub newsletter(together with a logo) and you couldbe in with a chance of winning £50worth of vouchers.Send your entries toThe Family HubLeeds City Council,Early Years Service, 6th Floor East,Merrion House,FREEPOST,NEA 4600,Leeds LS2 3YY

Libraries Love Families!Every family can enjoy books (and their benefits) from a very early age. Sharingbooks with your children for even a few minutes every day can help develop theirconfidence with books and their personal development.What can my Library offer?• Variety of books to suit different needs including:Touch and feel books these are books which feature different fabrics, surfaces andtextures.Lift the flap books, these are books with doors to open, flaps to lift and holes toexplore.‘Clearvision’ children’s books with traditional and Braille text can be requested, ask atyour local library.• Story CD’s and Tapes• Story and Rhyme Times for Under 5’s• Events for children and young people of all ages• Bookstart Booktouch PacksBooktouch is a free pack of books and guidance materials that aims to give a love ofbooks to blind and partially sighted children of 0-4 years.• Bookstart Bookshine PacksBookshine is a free pack of books and guidance materials that aims to give a love ofbooks to deaf and hearing impaired children of 0-4 years.• Assistive TechnologyIncluding desks that can be raised and lowered, accessibility software on computers,trackerballs and big keyboards. Contact any library to find out what assistivetechnology is available.Our friendly staff can help with enquiries, identifybooks to suit different needs and support yourchild’s learningFor more information contact enquiry express on0113 247 6016

Places to visit / things to doOne of the most frustrating things for any parents, are school holidays, having tokeep the kids entertained while on a budget, or finding places to go that have easyaccess or facilities.We’ve come up with a few suggestions what to do during the Easter break, pleaseremember if you’ve had good or bad experiences at any place, be it restaurant,museum or anywhere, we’d like to know and in the next issue we’ll run a feature onwhat parents recommend. (See back page).For a full range of activities and places to go visit www.thefamilyhubleeds.orgTropical World\Tropical World is one of the Uk’s mostpopular garden tourist attractions andhome to the largest collection of tropicalplants outside Kew Gardens. TropicalWorld is open all year around apart fromChristmas Day and Boxing Day.Contact details:Tel: 0113 214 5715Website: www.leeds.gov.ukAdmission details:Adults: £3.00Children (8 – 15yrs) £2.00Under 8’s: FreeLeeds/Breeze card holders freeChildren under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.Access:Tropical World is accessible, with wheelchairs and scooters. Blue Badge parking isavailable outside Tropical World on Princes Avenue.

Temple NewsamTemple Newsam is one of the great historic estates in England. Set within 1500 acresof parkland, woodland and farmland.Contact details:Tel: 0113 264 5535 (Estate)0113 264 7321 (House)Website:www.leeds.gov.uktemplenewsamAdmission detailsTuesday to Sundayand bank holidays all year roundAdults from £3.00Children from £2.00Children under 5 go freeLeeds Card/Breeze card holders go freeCar Parking starts from £3.00Access:The gardens and woodlands are fully accessible. Home Farm is uneven and cobbledbut has some trails with cobbles filled in and most displays are accessible towheelchair users.Readers reviewsThackray Medical MuseumThe award-winning Thackray Museumis one of the Uk’s leading museums,telling the story of medicines andexplaining how advances in medicineshave changed our lives.Contact details:The museum is situated next toSt James HospitalTel: 0113 2444343info@thackraymuseum.orgAdmission details:Adults: £5.50Children (5-16) £4.00Concessions: £4.50Family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children) £18.00AccessNormal admission charges apply, but essential carers are admitted free of charge.The museum has a car park with reserved space for blue badge holders.All areas of the museum and almost all exhibits are accessible to wheelchair users. Awheelchair is available on request please telephone to book.

Childcare/Holiday PlayschemesPlayschemes are both registered and nonregisteredproviders of childcare, offeringfull day care and sessional care and playopportunities for children. They operatevarious days and times, not allplayschemes run 5 days a week 8-6, soplease ask for details of opening timeswhen ringing.They take place in various venues,ranging from church halls to schools. Soplease also remember to check for accessif needed.If your playscheme needs support inaccepting a child with additional needs,then you may wish to contact LeedsInclusion Support Scheme (LISS), whocan help with training and support inmaking the playscheme more accessiblefor your child. If you would like furtherinformation please see page 12 of thisnewsletter. Or contact LISS direct on0113 2243927.Easter 2008Below is a list of playschemes availableduring the Easter holidays. For moredetails on the dates, times and costs ofeach scheme please contact the individualscheme or the Family Hub Leeds on0113 24 74386 for more details. Theschemes have been sorted by postcode toenable you to locate the nearest to you.South Wedge AreaBright Beginnings ChildcareUniversity of LeedsOff Mount Preston Street LS2 9NQ0113 343 1818Little Learners PlayschemeLeeds College of TecnologyCookridge StreetLS2 8BL0113 297 6320Play PalsWindmill Primary School Windmill RoadMiddleton LS10 3HQ0113 270 6903St.Luke’s CarersVarious Schools LS11 6AW0113 217 9393Asha Neighbourhood PlayschemeThe Building Blocks Centre Maud AvenueBeeston LS11 7DD0113 270 4600Kaleidoscope GildersomeGildersome Primary SchoolMolrey LS27 7AB0113 253 4968Butterfly’s Day NurseryMelbourne StreetMorley LS27 8BG0113 218 9283Kaleidoscope Koosh ClubKaleidoscope Nursery Albert RoadMorley LS27 8RT0113 289 7118Basement BuddiesMorley Victoria Primary SchoolVictoria RoadMorley LS27 9NW0113 252 7300Play @ AsquithAsquith Primary School Horsfall StreetMorley LS27 9QY07986 295 247Hilltop KOOSH ClubWest Ardsley Community Centre BatleyRoadWest Ardsley WF3 1HD0113 253 4968The Fun Zone @ Carlton PrimaryNew RoadCarlton WF3 3RE0113 282 5228

East Wedge AreaThe Fun Zone @ MeadowfieldHalton Moor AvenueHalton Moor LS9 0EZ0113 282 5228 /07841 584 468Swarcliffe and St Gregory’s SchemeSt Gregory’s Youth & Adult CentreStanks GardensWhinmoor LS14 5LS07892 70967/0113 293 5563Halton Moor 8-13 PlayschemeHalton Moor Community Centre NevilleRoadOsmondthorpe LS15 0NW0113 214 1340WYSIWYG PlayschemeCrossgates Primary School Poole CrescentCrossgates LS15 7NB0113 264 2107/07809 879 010SKIN (Special Kids In Need)St Wilfrids Church Hall Selby RoadLS15 7NP0113 305 0314The Fun Zone @Great & Little PrestonGreat and Little Preston Junior SchoolGreat Preston LS26 8AR0113 214 6816The Fun Zone @ WoodlesfordWoodlesford Primary SchoolChurch StreetWoodlesford LS26 8RD0113 282 5228/07841 584 468ABC Daycare & O-Zone Out of SchoolThe Old School Vicars TerraceAllerton Bywater WF10 2DJ01977 559 781North East Wedge AreaMeanwood Junior Playscheme(8yrs+)Meanwood Community CentreStainbeck Avenue LS7 2QU07891 271 019Prince Phillip PlayschemePrince Phillip Community CentreScott Hall AvenueScott Hall LS7 2HJ07799 002 838Best Family Childcare Ltd@ Chapel AllertonChapel Allerton Primary School21 Harrogate RoadChapel Allerton LS7 3PD07782 476 533Space@HillcrestHillcrest Primary school Cowper StreetChapeltown LS7 4DR0113 253 2973 / 07990 892 681Milun PlayschemeMilun Womens Centre 31 Hilton RoadRoundhay LS8 4HB0113 237 4150 / 0113 262 0502Early Birds After School ClubHarehills Lane Baptist Church Hall13 Hilton PlaceHarehills LS8 4HF07960 185 769Kashmir Social & Welfare SchemeBankside Primary SchoolMarkham Avenue LS8 4LE0113 262 0605Shantona Woman’s Centre SchemeShantona Womens’s Centre RoundhayLS8 5AN0113 249 7120Lingfield Holiday ActivitiesOpen House Community Centre79/81 Lingfield DriveMoortown LS17 7HF0113 269 8260 / 07799 714 789Budiz Out of School CareArchbishop C of E Primary SchoolLingfield ApproachMoortown LS17 7HL0113 293 0699

Best Family Childcare @ HighfieldHighfield Primary SchoolSandringham Green LS17 8DJ07782 476 533Groovy Kidz PlayschemeBardsey Primary School Woodacre LaneBardsey LS17 9DG07966 571 224Northcall@MoortownMoortown Methodist Hall53-55 Cranmer BankMoortown LS17 5JD0113 268 9993Burley KOOSH ClubBurley Children’s CentreSt. Matthias StreetBurley LS4 2DZ07891 687 292Hawksworth Wood YMCA PlayschemeHawksworth Wood YMCA Lea Farm MountKirkstall LS5 3PX2162970Burley Lodge Centre42-46 Burley Lodge RoadBurley LS6 1QF0113 275 0526 / 07906 269 473Twinkles Day Nurseries & Oos ClubClifford RoadBoston Spa LS23 6DB01937 849 588North West Wedge AreaChildrens Corner - MoorlandsMoorlands School Foxhill DriveWeetwood LS16 5PF0113 203 3196Ireland Wood Childrens CentreRaynel GardensWeetwood LS16 6BW0113 281 7829Cliffe House Day Nursery PlayschemeTrinity & All Saints CollegeBrownberrie LaneHorsforth LS18 5HD0113 258 5522Krayola Kids Ltd @ Rawdon St PetersRawdon St Peters Primary SchoolTown StreetRawdon LS19 6PP0113 204 7799/07918 075 203Eye Spy Club @ St OswaldsSt Oswalds C of E Junior School TheGreenGuiseley LS20 9BT01943 873 570Eye Spy PlayschemeGuiseley Infant School Annexe 1,Oxford Road LS20 9DA07879 810 434All Saints Out Of School ClubCross Green Youth Centre Pool RoadOtley LS21 1HD0194 346 2137West Wedge AreaTwiglets and BranchesRyecroft Primary School StonebridgeGroveFarnley LS12 5AW0113 263 2433Copper Beech Out of School Club137 Broad LaneBramley LS13 2JJ07884 110 485St Peter’s Out of School ClubBramley St Peters C of E Primary SchoolHough LaneBramley LS13 3NE0113 256 8711Krayola Kiddies @ SwinnowSwinnow Primary School Swinnow RoadBramley LS13 4PG0113 204 7799Childrens Corner (Farsley) LtdSpringbank Primary School Wesley StreetFarsley LS28 5LE0113 257 786810

Greenside Care Club Oos ClubGreenside Primary School South ParadePudsey LS28 8NZ01132 562 322Best Family Childcare Ltd @Pudsey LowtownPudsey Lowtown Primary Kent RoadPudsey Lowtown LS28 9BB07782 476 533Remember!Please remember playschemes can be very popular and run during theschool holidays, so book as early aspossible to avoid disappointment.There are also alternativechildcare providers such as childminders who will beable to accept your child.For a list of full up-to-date childcare providers in your area contact The Family HubFreephone 0800 731 0640or 0113 24 74 386email:family.hub@leeds.gov.ukor visit the website at www.thefamilyhubleeds.orgAirebourough SummerActivities SchemeRegistered Charity No: 1078651Easter Activity Days will be taking place on Thursday 27th March & Friday 28thMarch, at Green Meadows School,Bradford Road, Guiseley.The scheme is open to all children, 4-19 years old, who have moderate to severelearning and/or physical disabilities and live in the Aireborough area (LS5, LS16,LS18, LS19, LS20, LS21)The cost will be £8 per child per day, this includes transport where necessary.If you would like your child to attend or for more information please contact:-Jo Galasso on 07764 432 933 oremail joanne.galasso@leeds.gov.uk11

Have you heard of Leeds InclusionSupport Scheme, (LISS) ?Do you know what we do, and how wemight help?Leeds Inclusion Support SchemeThe Leeds Inclusion Support Scheme(LISS) aims are to promote the inclusionof children with disabilities/SEN withintheir local pre-school, or Out of Schooland play provision; to enable a child withdisabilities/SEN to benefit fully from thatprovision; to improve inclusive practiceand to increase leisure opportunities forchildren with disabilities/SEN (SpecialEducational Needs).Leeds Inclusion Support Scheme ismanaged by the Pre-school LearningAlliance and offers support to preschools,private day nurseries, early year’scentres, children’s centres, out ofschool and play providers. It has a‘virtual’ team that spans the Alliance andLeeds Play Network.This partnership is an important andvaluable part of how Leeds InclusionSupport Scheme works. It also worksclosely with the various statutoryservices. The scheme provides; grantsto assist providers to employ extrastaff to support the inclusion of childrenwith impairments; access to specialistequipment, training and advice; and a toylibrary.The Early Years part is linked to EducationLeeds and the Early Years Funding forInclusion this means that families canchoose the right type of settingthat meets both their childcare needs andmeets the needs of their child.Applications are made to Education Leedsand are then passed on to LISS so thatsupport can be accessed to meet yourchild’s needs.The scheme also supports after schooland holiday settings/groups this canaccessed via the Pre-school LearningAlliance and Leeds Play Network. Adviceand support on including children withsupport needs in out of school provision,is mainly provided by the InclusionSupport Workers at Leeds Play Network.They also provide training on inclusion.Grants to enhance staffing, if requiredare accessed via the Special NeedsDevelopment Worker at the Pre-schoolLearning Alliance.We have also supported children andyoung people with disabilities to accesssome varied ‘play’ provision and hope tocontinue this work in the future. If youfind an activity that your child would liketo attend, it could be a drama group,sports activity or uniformed group, pleasestart with a trial visit. This will give youand your child the opportunity to make aconsidered and informed decision whetherit is an activity that they wish to join.Be clear what needs your child has andtell the group that there is support andadvice available. If the group, you andyour child feel support would be neededthen contact LISS.If you would like more informationabout 12thescheme, then pleasecontact the Special NeedsDevelopment Worker based at thePre-school Learning Alliance on 01132243927.Remember to enter our ‘design aname and logo competition for the newsletterand you could win shopping vouchers,send your entries toThe Family Hub Leeds City Council,Early Years Service,6th Floor East, Merrion House,FREEPOST, NEA 4600, Leeds LS2 3YY12

Keys To InclusionThis workshop/training day is both a valuesprimer and a practical guide to successfulstrategies for developing inclusivepractice.This is a ‘hearts and minds’ day in whichparticipants can expect to both laugh andcry in equal measure!The day gives those present opportunitiesto reflect on their attitudes and practice inrelation to the inclusion of young peoplewho are different.There will be three different opportunitiesto attend this workshopMonday 10th March 2008 at East LeedsChildren’s CentreorTuesday 11th March 2008 at Burley LodgeCommunity CentreorWednesday 16th April 2008 at Belle IsleFamily CentreAll will be run from 9.30 am to 3.00 pmThis training is generic and is suitable forearly years, play, youth and extendedservices. The same workshop will be heldin three different locations on differentdates so please make it clear which oneyou wish to attend.Tuesday 11th March 2008 / Wednesday16th April 2008.9.30am to 3 pm £10 booking fee perdelegate to cover lunch and conferencepack(cheques to made payable to Pre-schoolLearning Alliance). There will be nocharge for parentsof a disabled child and I am happy todiscuss other fee waivers. This isimportant training and I am keen toenable anyone to attend.Lunch will be provided, please tell us ofany special requirements:Please let us know if you have any accessrequirements:For details of booking a place contactPat BaldwinsonEast Leeds Children’s CentreBrooklands ViewLeeds LS14 6SATel: 0113 2243927Fax: 0113 3950472e-mailpat.baldwinson@pre-school.org.ukPast Testimonials from East Leeds 14thDecember‘Brilliant. Thank you so much’‘An excellent day’‘A fun day where an important anddeep message was passed on In such away as to allow learning without preaching‘‘What a fun, informative up liftingday, no pressure all involved’‘This must be a training for all thosethat work with children and young people’‘Amazing, inspirational, reflective,refreshing……’13

Leeds Parent Partnership ServiceInformation and advice for parents and carers of children with individual educationalneedsIf you have a child with special educational needs, trying to get the best adviceand help may seem like a confusing and frightening experience. The thought ofapproaching school, Education Leeds and other professionals can be intimidating.The Parent Partnership Service is designed to help you as parent/carers of childrenwith special education needs (SEN) receive the advice, information and guidancenecessary to make the right choices for your child. ServiceThe Blenheim Centre,General enquiries: 0113 3951 222E-mail: education.pps@educationleeds.co.ukHelpline Monday to Friday 10 am to 3 pm: 0113 3951 200Visit the Leeds Parent Partnership Service websitewww.leedsparentpartnership.co.ukThe website contains advice and information on Special Educational Needs (SEN) aswell as a facility to contact Leeds Parent Partnership Service online.Extended School Services& the Specialist InclusiveLearning centresLeeds has, for the coming year, put a focus on working with the Specialist InclusiveLearning Centres (SILCS) to support them in delivering aspects of the full coreoffer. There are a number of developments taking place at each of the SILCs, withspecific staff now earmarked at each one to work on developing appropriate extendedservices. You may have already noticed that things are beginning to change and agreater range of opportunities is being promoted.If you would like to know what is happening at the school/SILC your child attends, orwould like to pass on your comments and ideas, please contact the SILC directly orget in touch withHilary Waite of the central team,hilary.waite@educationleeds.co.uk14

Psychology and Assessment ServiceWhat is an Educational Psychologist (EP)?An EP is trained to understand how children and young people• Develop thinking, learning and problem solving skills• Behave and their relationships with other people• Understand feelings and control their behaviour• Feel about school and what motivates them to learnWhat do EPs do?Educational Psychologists work with children and young people, parents, teachers andother adults to help improve the school experience. This will ensure that children andyoung people have the best opportunities to develop and learn.Why does the EP need to be involved?Educational Psychologists are able to offer additional support and advice to help overcomebarriers to learning when schools feel they have exhausted their current resources.Under current legislation an educational psychologist must have parent/primary carer’spermission to undertake any work with a named individual. It is crucial that you areable to sign the EP consent form.If you have any questions about meeting the EP you can talk to your SEN coordinatorin school or contact:Psychology and Assessment Service – 0113 3951039Remember to enter our ‘design aname and logo competition for thenewsletter and you could win shoppingvouchers, send your entries toThe Family Hub Leeds City Council,Early Years Service,6th Floor East, Merrion House,FREEPOST, NEA 4600, Leeds LS2 3YY15

Extended School Services– the Full Core OfferBy 2010 all schools will be offering a range of extended services to the children,young people and families they serve. These services, described as the Full CoreOffer, fall into five areas.“Primary schools provide access to high-quality childcare, 8am–6pm, fivedays a week, 48 weeks a year, in accordance with their communities’ needs,combined with a varied menu of activities (study support) to enhanceachievement and broaden interestsSecondary schools provide access to a varied menu of study support andenrichment activities which provide fun and stimulating activities for youngpeople, as well as a safe place to be.Schools provide access to parenting support, including information sessionsfor parents of pupils joining reception and on transfer to secondary school;signposting to national and local sources of information, advice and support;access to parenting groups using structured, evidence-based parentingprogrammes; and family learning sessions to allow children to learn withtheir parents, where consultation has shown there is a demandSwift and easy access - working closely with other statutory services andthe voluntary and community sector, schools ensure that children withadditional needs are identified as early as possible, and are well supportedthrough integrated working with other servicesSchools ensure they provide community access to appropriate facilities,such as ICT suites, sports and arts facilities, and also provide access to adultlearning.”Whilst we are still two years away from extended services becoming a statutory dutyfor children’s service providers, there has been good progress in Leeds, with just over40% of schools developing some form of full core offer. Many schools may choose todevelop an even richer mix of services and activities over the coming two years.If you could like further general information please contact the relevant ExtendedServices Area Adviser for your part of Leeds, as below, or the central team viaSally Bavage at sally.bavage@educationleeds.co.ukNorth West Alison Larkin larkina02@leedslearning.netNorth East Sue Cassidy cassids02@leedslearning.netEast Angela Bailey angela.bailey@educationleeds.co.ukSouth Barbara Temple templebe01@leedslearning.netWest Dave Foxton foxtond01@leedslearning.netLeeds has, for the coming year, put a focus on working with the Specialist InclusiveLearning Centres (SILCS) to support them in delivering aspects of the full coreoffer. There are a number of developments taking place at each of the SILCs, withspecific staff now earmarked at each one to work on developing appropriate extendedservices. You may have already noticed that things are beginning to change and agreater range of opportunities is being promoted.16

Specialist Inclusive Learning Centres (SILCs)School Nursing TeamsThe School Nursing Team (SILCs) provide their services to children working in schoolssupporting pupils with complex health needs, learning and/or physical difficulties theyalso provide training and support to parents/carers, education and local authorityworkers in SILCs and other mainstream schools.The team consists of 2 Coordinators and 25 School Nurses, Staff Nurses and HealthCare Support Workers, who provide school nursing services in 8 Schools:Penny Field & Green Meadows, North West SILC, Tongue Lane, MeanwoodLS6 4QD 0113 3368 270Milestone, West SILC, Town Street, Stanningley, LS28 6HL, 0113 3862450John Jamieson, East SILC, Hollin Hill Drive, Oakwood, LS8 2PWWest Oaks North East SILC, Westwood Way, Boston Spa, LS23 6DX, 01937844 772Broomfield South SILC, Broom Place, Belle Isle, LS10 3JP, 0113 277 1603Ireland Wood Primary School, Raynel Gardens, Ireland Wood, LS16 6BWRalph Thoresby High School, Holt Dale Approach, LS16 7RXThe nursing teams’ work includes:• Assessment & care planning –supporting pupils with a variety ofneeds including, nutritional support, epilepsy care, respiratory care,management & administration of medication & organisation of avariety of clinics on site.• Child protection and family support.• Delivery of health education and health promotion.Valuable feedback received has enabled the nursing team to reflect on the way theydeliver the service, how they support the pupils, parents/carers and have enabledchanges to be implemented.• Children and young people said, wrote or signed that they liked theirSchool Nurses, they found them friendly, easy to talk to and knew howto access their help. Many said that they would like to see more of theschool nurse in the classrooms.• Some parents felt that their son or daughter would not to be as welleducated without the support of the nurses. Some said they would likethe School Nurses to provide more support to parents & carers; thiswill be included in the action plans for future service development.• SILCs school staff identified the good relationship between the schoolnurse and education teams resulting in effective communication andsupport.• Each School Nurse SILC team has provided proposals for services theywish to develop in their school including increasing the amount ofhealth promotion work undertaken on a variety of health issues.The SILC nursing team wish to thank the children, young people, their parents, carersand teaching staff of the Leeds SILCs for contributing to the feedback. SILC parentscan contact their child’s school nurse for information about the feeback orLiz Denton, School Nurse Coordinator at Morley Health Centre, 0113 295462817

LEEDS CITY WIDE FAMILY FORUMThe establishment of a city wide parents forum is well on the way. The forum havenow chosen a name LEEDS CITY WIDE FAMILY FORUM (LCFF) –supporting families with children and young people with additional needs.The forum will be open to anyone who has a keen interest in ensuring the best possibleoutcomes for these children and young people.1. The forum aims to represent parents views2. be an advocate for parent3. Campaign for change4. raise awareness of issues, strategies and proposed changes5. signpost families to established services6. be a information provider7. unite familiesA steering group has been established to set up a board and work on aconstitution. The next meeting for the forum will be on 22nd April 2008 at the LeedsCivic Hall 10am. All are welcome.The N W SILC parents forum has helped facilitate the LCFF you can contact the LCFFthrough their website www.nwsilcparentsforum.co.ukWe hope you will attend and help advertise the forum. We need parents to tell uswhat work you would like to see the forum working on, only together can changehappen.Sibs- for brothers and sisters ofdisabled children and adultsSibs is the UK charity for people who have grown upor are growing up with a brother or sister with any disability,long term chronic illness, or life limiting condition.Their aim is to enhance the lives of siblings by providingthem withinformation and support, and by influencing service provisionthroughout the uk.You can contact Sibs on01430 810094or online atwww.sibs.org.ukARE YOU THE BROTHER OR SISTER OF SOMEBODY WITH SPECIAL NEEDS?WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR OWN PAGE IN THIS NEWSLETTER?WOULD YOU LIKE TO HELP CONTRIBUTE TO THIS NEWSLETTER?IF SO CONTACT Rob Lake ON:0113 247 5487 oremail family.hub@leeds.gov.uk18

Children & Young Peoples’Social CareIn Leeds services for disabled children are accessed through identifying the child’sneeds and a Disabled Children’s Integrated Needs Assessment (DCINA), whichincorporates a Parent/Carer Assessment. Once needs are identified a plan is madeto deliver services or organise support in such a way that meets a families individualneeds..The Child Health & Disability Assessment (CHAD) Teamundertakes assessments for children/young people aged 0-13 years who havecomplex health needs and/or a disability. They offer short term and intensive inputto enable families to manage and coordinate their various networks of care. Theaim is to empower families and help them be as independent as possible by workingflexibly around the child/young persons changing needs. The team offer practical andemotional support to the child/young person and their parent/carers.A referral to the team can be made by parent/carers or professionals via: The CallCentre Customer Service 0113 398 4702 or CHAD Assessment Team 0113 206 4383.The Transitions Teamundertakes assessments for children aged 14-18 years who have complex healthneeds and/or a disability. They offer an interagency approach to assist young peopleand their families to coordinate the move from childhood to adulthood. They workclosely with schools, the career service and other agencies to identify appropriateresources. They offer information, advice and support to young people, families andcarers and other professional regarding the transition process.A referral to the team can be made by parent/carers or professionals via: The CallCentre Customer Service 0113 398 4702 or CHAD Assessment Team 0113 206 4383.The Regional Paediatric Specialist Teamoffer a dedicated service to those children who attend oncology, renal, liver, cysticfibrosis and blood disorders unit. Contact with these services is through the specialistunits based at St James’s Hospital.Care Managementfamilies that require long term social work input receive support through socialworkers based in either the specialist teams or area social care teams. Access to thisservice is via a DCINA from the CHAD Assessment Team.(See above)Remember to enter our ‘design a name and logo competitionfor the newsletter and you could win £50 of High Streetshopping vouchers, send your entries toThe Family Hub Leeds City Council,Early Years Service,6th Floor East, Merrion House,FREEPOST, NEA 4600, Leeds LS2 3YY19

When putting together the idea andbasis for this newsletter, we found thatthere are lots of voluntary organisationsand charities helping families in Leedswho provide their own newsletter. Wedidn’t want to appear as competition tothese, as they all do a very good job ofhelping the families they are involvedwith. This newsletter is about reachingALL families in Leeds using a multipleagency approach, working with EducationLeeds, Social Care, Youth and EarlyYears Service, Primary care trust andothe agencies, so here are a few otheragencies.Carers LeedsWe are a Leeds voluntary organisationsupporting carers while they care forothers.The work of Carers Leeds is focussed onthe support of all carers across the cityof Leeds. We are open and available tocarers, including parent carers. Withinour staff team, there is a great deal ofknowledge and experience about carers,their issues and needs.We provide confidential information,advice and one-to-one support either atour city centre offices, of from differentcommunity settings. We can also visita carer in their own home, if they arenot able to visit our office. Our supportworkers are experienced in offeringemotional support and listening to issuesthat a carer may wish to explore. Onemember of staff works specifically withcarers from minority ethnic communitiesand is often able to communicate withindividual carers in their mother tongue.We are committed to providing manydifferent opportunities for carers to getsupport and feel acknowledged andvalued in their role. We organise socialand leisure activities where carers canmeet up with other carers, relax andenjoy their special time. For example,Voluntary Organisations20we hold a monthly carers café, haveregular day trips to places of interest andtheatre visits. We arrange very low costcomplementary therapies that carerscan enjoy at our city centre offices. Werun a range of different courses andtrainings for carers, for support in theircaring role, to help deal with stress, and/or to look at different opportunities forpersonal development.All our activities are advertised in ournewsletter, Carers News, which ispublished every other month and sentout to carers and professionals with aninterest in carers’ issues. Our newsletterprovides a great deal of information ofinterest to carers as well as details ofour activities. If you are interested inreceiving Carers News, please telephoneus and we can arrange for you to go onour mailing list – if you can receive CarersNews by e-mail, this helps us and theenvironment!The Time for Carers scheme, providesgrants to help carers get a break fromcaring. Many carers use this fund to payfor a holiday, day trips, or for therapiesthat give them a break. An applicationcan be made once every 3 years forup to £350. Please phone us for moreinformation about this fund as Leeds CityCouncil provides the funding on an annualbasis – it is then allocated to carers on afirst come, first served system.Carers Leeds, 6-8 The Headrow, Leeds,LS1 6PTTel: 0113 246 8338e-mail:info@carersleeds.org.ukwww.carersleeds.org.ukPlease note: we are planning to move tonew offices in the city centre at the endof March, so please check our addressthen.

LEEDS ABC SUPPORT GROUPRegistered Charity No.1023066“Supporting each other Learningtogether”The title for our group (Leeds & DistrictAutism Behaviour CommunicationSupport Group) is quite a mouthful so inand around Leeds we are simply knownas the Leeds ABC Support Group. I reallycan’t tell you about our group withoutexplaining something about autism so Ihope you’ll bear with me whilst I do this.Autism is a condition that affects theindividual’s ability to communicate andconnect with others. Problems arisewhen trying to understand and use nonverbaland verbal communication, engagein social behaviour or think and behaveflexibly. There may also be sensoryissues such as an over or under reactionto certain sensory stimuli. In some casesthere can be associated features such aslearning difficulties, chromosomal andgenetic conditions and epilepsy. Aspergersyndrome is a form of autism used todescribe people usually at the higherfunctioning end of the autistic spectrum.Leeds ABC Support Group offer:• Monthly support group meetings• Regular newsletter• Telephone support• Email facilities• Website• Family swim sessions• Workshops• LibraryWe can give ongoing support to familieswith children and young people whohave or are awaiting a diagnosis ofautism or Asperger syndrome, advice oneducational matters, help with filling inDisability Living Allowance (DLA) formsand information and support on all issuesconcerning or surrounding autism.Leeds ABC Support Group25 Somerdale Walk,Bramley, LeedsLS13 4SFTel: 0113 2579269Email: info@abcleeds.org.ukwebsite: www.abcleeds.org.ukWe look forward to hearing from you.Susan McDonagh (Chairperson)BOSTON SPAACTIVITIES CLUBThe Boston Spa Activities Club isa weekly multi sport session foryoung people with special needscommencing on Monday 18 thFebruary 2008.Come and try lots of sports andfun games including: football,basketball, parachute, athletics andmany moreWhere? Boston Spa School (MainHall)When? Every Monday Evening6-7.30(term time only)Who? 11-17 years old youngpeople with special needsHow? Bring £1 and just turn upFor more information about theBoston Spa Activities Club contactDee Lazenby on 01937 840110If you would like to contact us our detailsare:21

Children with Disabilities Social and Leisure FundChildren with Disabilities Social and Leisure Fund are organisinga Residential weekend at Lineham Farm Children’s Centre, Eccup,Leeds.The residential is open to children aged 8 – 16 years who havelearning or physical disabilities, who live within Leeds and don’t receiveany over night respite care.It will take place from Teatime Friday 27th June 2008 – after lunchon Sunday 29th June 2008.The cost to parents will be £20 per child.If you are interested in your child attending or would like furtherinformation please contact:-Chris Parapia on 0113 247 7436,email christine.parapia@leeds.gov.uk orJo Galasso on 07764 432 933,email joanne.galasso@leeds.gov.ukApple GroupAPPLE Group is a community group for Leeds parents.Our core aims and objectives are to provide parents and carers thechance to learn together, visit places of interest, gain confidenceand socialise in a safe and inclusive environment.The group also meets during school holidays with our children andyoung people, several of whom have additional needs.APPLE also runs a community family resource library. This valuableresource gives families the chance to borrow board games, SENbooks, dual language books, SEN and educational resources.If you are interested in finding out more please contactMandy Craven:mandlc@hotmail.co.ukTel: 0113 279514222

Leeds MencapLeeds Mencap works to improve the lives and opportunities of children and youngpeople with learning difficulties and of their families and carers. Although affiliated tonational Mencap, Leeds Mencap is an independent charity run by and for local people.Leeds Mencap provides a variety of services, the Hawthorn Family Support Centre,two youth clubs and holiday playschemes.These services are available to children, young people and families throughout thecity.Hawthorn Family Support CentreHawthorn offers support to families and carers of children aged 0-3 years with alearning disability.At the centre children and their families can attend support groups with the simpleaim of extending friendship with families in a similar situation.At Hawthorn there is a well equipped play room where children can play as well as aparents and carers room where families can talk and relax.As one family recently commented about the support group,‘Being able to talk to other parents in the same position has been really valuable toboth of us’Families can attend a group on a Monday, Tuesday or Friday. Hawthorn will help toprovide transport for families if necessary.Staff at the centre are happy to discuss the child’s needs and to help families accessinformation and support that might help them.‘I found the staff at Hawthorn really friendly, helpful and supportive. I gained lots ofinformation about other services and places that was useful’The play room is run by qualified staff who use the Foundation Stage to guideplanning. There is also a sensory room and a children’s dining room. Children areoffered a snack in the morning and a healthy cooked meal at lunchtime. Each childhas an individual profile that records their play and achievements through writtenobservations and photographs.One family commented about the profile,‘Gives constant progress on my child. I feel very proud reading it’Youth ClubsThere are two youth clubs open to young people with a learning disability and theirfriends and siblings. The club that runs on Tuesday night is for young people agedfrom 9- 13, whilst the 14 – 19 age group meet on a Thursday night.PlayschemesPlayschemes usually run during the summer holidays and are bursting with activitiesand excursions we are working towards providing playschemes during other schoolholidays in addition to our current provision.Contact DetailsLeeds MencapLondesboro TerraceEast End ParkLeeds LS9 9NE0113 235 1331E mail – info@leedsmencap.org.uk23

MONEY MATTERS!!!Lets face it for most people money doesmatter, we never seem to have enough tomake ends meet sometimes!Not everyone knows what benefits areavailable so here’s a brief guide to whatbenefits are available.Benefits for the extra costs ofdisabilityDisability Living Allowance (DLA) andAttendance Allowance are benefits to helpyou pay for personal care and the costs ofgetting around. However, it does notmatter what you use the money for.Disability Living Allowance is for peopleunder 65 and Attendance Allowance forpeople of 65 and over.You can get Disability Living Allowanceand Attendance Allowance whether or notyou are working, and they are notaffected by any work you do. Thebenefits do not affect any income relatedbenefits you get, as Disability LivingAllowance and Attendance Allowance donot count as income when these benefitsare worked out.Disability Living Allowance forchildrenbenefit in your own right, another person,authorised by the Department for Workand Pensions, must make the claim foryou. This person is called an appointeeand for children, the appointee willusually be the child’s parent or guardian.If you are a disabled young person under16 or you are responsible for a disabledchild and need to claim DisabilityLiving Allowance on their behalf, youshould consult an experienced adviser, forexample, at a Citizens Advice Bureau.For the current rates of Disability LivingAllowance go to the Disabled peoplesection of the Directgov website atwww.direct.gov.uk/disability.How to apply for DLAYou can claim Disability Living Allowanceby phoning the Benefits EnquiryLine 0800 882200 or Minicom 0800243355. This service will help youcomplete a form over the phone.You can contact your local One Stop Centrefor any details of any benefitsfor more information contact,Telephone:- 0113 234 80 80Minicom:- 0845 127 1113Fax:- 0113 245 7890email:- onestop@leeds.gov.ukDisability Living Allowance can be paidfor children under 16, but there are extraconditions about their care and mobilityneeds. They have to need more care andattention than other children of the sameage. To have mobility needs, they musthave reached a certain age. However,these extra conditions only apply if thechild is under 16 when their DisabilityLiving Allowance starts. The extraconditions no longer apply when the childreaches the age of 16. If you are under16, you cannot make a claim for the4How is DLA paid?Disability Living Allowance is usually paiddirectly into a bank or building societyaccount. If you cannot open an accountor you have difficulties with this methodof payment you should let the officeknow. It is possible to pay DisabilityLiving Allowance by cheque in somecircumstances.

Carers AllowanceCarer’s Allowance is a benefit for people who are giving regular and substantial careto disabled people in their own homes. Carer’s Allowance is a taxable benefit andforms part of your taxable income.Who can get Carer’s Allowance?You can get Carer’s Allowance if you are at 16 or over. There is no upper age limit.You must spend at least 35 hours a week caring for a disabled person who gets abenefit for the extra costs of disability. The benefits for the extra costs ofdisability are Attendance Allowance, Constant Attendance Allowance, or the middle orhigher rate of Disability Living Allowance. You must not earn more than a set amounteach week – this is £87.00 from 9 April 2007.You do not have to have paid any national insurance contributions to get Carer’sAllowance.How much is Carer’s Allowance?Carer’s allowance is paid at a standard rate for the person making the claim. You mayalso be able to get extra benefit for your partner or someone who looks after yourchildren. This includes partners who are living together as well as those who are marriedor in a civil partnership. It includes lesbian, gay orheterosexual partners.You can only get the extra benefit if the person you are claiming for has earningsbelow a certain amount and does not get certain benefits in their own right which areworth more than the extra Carer’s Allowance.If you are making a new claim for Carer’s Allowance, you cannot get any extrabenefit for your children. You should apply for Child Tax Credit instead.For the current rates of Carer’s Allowance, go to the carers’ section of the Directgovwebsite at www.directgov.gov.uk/carers.How to claim Carer’s Allowance?You can claim Carer’s Allowance in a number of ways. These include:• online at www.directgov.gov.uk/carers• by phoning Jobcentre Plus onfreephone 0800 055 6688 or textphone 0800 023 4888.• by filling in a claim form in leaflet DS700 (or the form in leaflet DS700 SP if you getState Retirement Pension). You can get the leaflets from local benefitoffices. You can find out more about making a claim for Carer’s Allowance from theDirectgov website at the address given above.If you were entitled before you make your claim, you can ask for benefit to be paidfor an earlier period of up to three months. You should ask for this on your claimform. You do not have to give a reason why you are claiming late.You will have to provide your national insurance number and evidence to show it belongsto you. If you not know your national insurance number, but you think you haveone, you should provideevidence to help the office to find it. If you do not have a national insurance number,you will have to apply for one.25

The Blue Badge Scheme• The mobility component of DisabilityLiving Allowance at the highest rate• A vehicle supplied by the Departmentfor Work and PensionsWhat is the Blue Badge scheme?The Blue Badge scheme provides anational arrangement of parkingconcessions for people with severewalking difficulties who travel either asdrivers or passengers. The scheme alsoapplies to registered blind people andpeople with very severe upper limbdisabilities who regularly drive a vehiclebut cannot turn a steering wheel by handor experience extreme difficulty in using aparking meter. Children under two yearsmay be eligible if they have a conditionthat requires being accompanied by bulkymedical equipment and/or has to be closeto a vehicle for emergency medicaltreatment. The national concessionsapply only to on-street parking, wherebadge holders may park close to theirdestination, providing no parkingrestrictions apply which may prohibit theuse of the badge.How do I apply for a Blue Badge?You can obtain an application form byeither• Downloading and printing off the format www.leeds.gov.uk• Telephoning us on 0845 125 4113 or0113 398 4700• Visiting your local one stop centres• Write toService Support SchemeP.O. Box 657LeedsLS1 9BSWill I automatically qualify for a BlueBadge?To automatically qualify for a Blue Badgeyou must be registered blind with a localAuthority or in receipt of one of thefollowing:26What proofs of eligibility do I need toprovide?You will need to provide proof that youreceive the above benefits with yourapplication. Award letters such asconfirmation of DLA must be no olderthan 3 years. You will need to contact therelevant benefit provider for an up to dateaward letter.Does everyone have to provide aphotograph with their application fora Blue Badge?Yes, every one should submit onepassport sized photograph with theirapplication for a Blue Badge. You maysubmit any suitable full face photographas long as it is cut down to approximately5cm wide by 6cm long (passport size). Itis fine to take a photograph with adigital camera and we will accept afamily photograph if you are unable touse a photo booth. In the exceptionalcase of severe facial deformity, anapplicant is not required to provide aphotograph.How long will it take for me toreceive my Blue Badge?Before we can make a decision as towhether you are eligible for a Blue Badgeor not, we will require the following itemsfrom you:• Your completed application, yourphotograph and any written proofs thatwe require from you.• If you are not automatically eligible fora badge, we may write to your GP formore information about your disability.Once we have received everything we aimto process and issue your badge or sendyou a refusal letter within tenworking days. Please bear in mind thatwe use the 2nd class post to keep costsdown and items will take a few days toget to you once we have posted them. Ifyou are not eligible for a Blue Badge wewill write and tell you.

DESIGN YOUR LOGO AND MAGAZINE NAME HERE TO ENTER THE COMPETITIONTO WIN £50 OF HIGH STREET VOUCHERS, TEAR/CUT OUT THIS SHEET,FILL IN THE DETAILS ON THE OTHER SIDE AND SEND IT BACK TO US ON THEADDRESS AT THE BACK.We’d like to thank everyone who has submitted articles for this first issue ofthis newsletter, please remember we would love to hear from you about yourviews on the newsletter or if you would like to submit any articlesyourself. To receive futher copies of this or to let us know what you thinkplease fill in the questionnaire overleaf.ThanksThe Family Hub Team27

Thank you for taking the time to read the very first issue ofthis newsletter,however please remember this is only the very first issue, we would loveto hear from you whether you have an opinion on the magazine, what youliked and what you didn’t or whether you have an article you would liketo see in future issues. We would particularly like readerrecommandations on places to go and see, that are easily accesible forchildren with additional needs.The next issue will be available from June 2008.Please write to us, with topics you would like to be included in future issues,If necessary please include additional sheets.Would you like to receive this newsletter to your door or by e-mail?then please fill in the reply slip below?Name:-Address-Postcode:-Email Address:-Please return anything to the following address: NO STAMP NEEDEDFamily Hub Leeds, Leeds City Council, Early Years Service,6th Floor East, Merrion House,FREEPOST, NEA 4600, Leeds, LS2 3YYe-mail: family.hub@leeds.gov.uk Telephone number 0113 24 74386