Welcome to the 2nd edition of AimingHigh for Disabled Children, June2010, which replaces ‘InformationNetworking’ and is received by parentsof disabled children and young peopleonce they have registered with theDisabled Children’s Information andDatabase.The Aiming High for Disabled Childrennewsletter focuses on the followingstrands: Core Offer; Short Breaks;Transitions Support; Parent Participationand DCATCH.Glenda Foley and I are busy distributingthe new edition of Sefton’s InformationDirectory and if you haven’t received acopy you will do shortly. At the sametime of distributing the directory we havetaken some time to identify the childrenwhose forms need updating and someparents will find a questionnaire in theenvelope to update their child’s details,with a stamped addressed envelope.There is a requirement under the DataProtection Act to ensure information isup to date; please return thequestionnaire as soon as possible. If ithas been some time since your childwas registered and you haven’t yet hada form please contact Glenda on0151 934 3887 or by Email:glenda.foley@cs.sefton.gov.ukTo keep up-to-date with news betweenissues of the newsletter, please visit theChildren with Disabilities web-page onthe Sefton Council website:www.sefton.gov.ukYou can contact me at the DisabledChildren’s Information and Database on0151 934 3853 or by Email:dcr@sefton.gov.uk Our full addressdetails can be found on Page 7.

Christine Bates,Database Coordinator

Are you registeredwith the Disabled Children’sInformation Database?The Disabled Children’sInformation and Database aimsto provide parents withinformation on the servicesavailable both locally andnationally for the family and forchildren who may requirespecialist as well as mainstreamservices. Alongside this is anopportunity to identify servicesthat could make a difference sothey can be best developed forthe future.The database can includechildren with:• Developmental delay• Physical disability• Chronic illness / medicalcondition

• Moderate to severe learningdisability

• Hearing impairment / visualimpairment

• Communication difficultiesWhat’s in it for

my child and me?A regular newsletter sent directto your home giving informationabout services, events, benefitsand support available locally andnationally.As the register is voluntary, youmay have been given a copy ofthis newsletter by a third partywho thought it would benefit you.There is a referral form on Page7 of this newsletter. Once youhave returned the referral form(or you can call the DisabledChildren’s Information andDatabase number on Page 7),you will be contacted to arrangea home visit to complete a datacollection form.Christine BatesDatabase Coordinator

for Disabled ChildrenIssue 2, Summer 2010

Children, Schools and Families

www. a c t i ve - s e f ton. co.ukA c t i v e S e f t o n i s a p a r t n e r s h i p b e t w e e n S e f t o n C o u n c i l ,N H S S e f t o n a n d t h e l o c a l v o l u n t a r y a n d c o m m u n i t y s e c t o r s

Aiming HighAiming HighChristine Bates Glenda Foley

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How are we doing?Here in Sefton we are continually trying to improvethe quality of the services we provide for children andyoung people with Learning Difficulties and / orDisabilities. Using local and nationally produced dataabout children and young people with SpecialEducational Needs (SEN) we have been able toidentify our successes and where we need toimprove.In 2009 1.4% of our 0 – 19 population receivedStatements of Special Educational Needs, comparedwith 1.9% nationally. The difference is mainlybecause in Sefton children with severe, lifelong andcomplex needs do not need a statement to getadditional help in a mainstream school.Due to much higher pupil performance in Sefton,about 2% fewer children are identified as having SENthan across the country as a whole. More than twiceas many children in Sefton attend resourcedprovision in mainstream schools than nationally. Wealso have a slightly higher population in our specialschools than nationally.Placements in independent and non-maintainedspecial schools have reduced over recent years andare now in line with the national rate.

How well are our childrenwith SEN / LDD doing?

In Sefton at the end of Key Stage 1 (children aged 7)and at the end of Key Stage 2 (children aged 11)more children are working at the expected level thanin the country as a whole. In Sefton 10% more pupilsmake two levels of progress across Key Stage 2(from age 7 to 11) than nationally. However, atsecondary level fewer pupils than nationally make 3levels of progress.More pupils with SEN / LDD in Sefton are notengaged in education, employment or training atages 16 –18 than nationally.

Parent support and appealsSefton has a lower rate of appeals to the SEN andDisability Tribunal than nationally (2.9 per 10,000children in Sefton against a National figure of 4).For more information, please contactColin Oxley, Assistant Director,Inclusion, Children, Schools and Familiesby Email: ccoolliinn..ooxxlleeyy@@ccss..sseeffttoonn..ggoovv..uukk

National Framework forChildren and YoungPeople’s Continuing CareOn 26 March 2010 the Department of Health (DH)published the final version of the National Frameworkfor Children and Young People’s Continuing Care. Acontinuing care package is put in place when a childor young person has needs arising from disability,accident or illness that can't be met by existingservices alone.If you would like to know more, please visit thefollowing Department of Health web page:www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics

Kidz Up North ExhibitionThursday, 25th November 20109.30am - 4.30pmPremier Suite Middlebrook Exhibition Centre,Premier Suite, Reebok Stadium, Burden Way,Bolton. BL6 6JW.One of the largest UK exhibitions dedicated todisabled children, their families and the professionalswho work with them.For FREE visitor entry tickets or further informationon any Kidz, contact Disabled Living on, 0161 2145959/5962 or by Email: info@disabledliving.co.uk For updates visit: www.kidzupnorth.co.uk

One of the largest UK exhibitions dedicated to disabled children, their families and the professionals who work with them.

Thursday, 25th November 2010 9.30am - 4.30pm Reebok Stadium Premier Suite, Middlebrook Exhibition Centre Burden Way, Bolton, BL6 6JW (Junction 6 M61)

Information on mobility, seating , beds, communication, access, education, toys, transport, style, sensory, sports and leisure: a programme of FREE seminars and discussions for parents and professionals. FREE parking. Dates for your Diary: Kidz South - 24th June 2010, Rivermead Leisure Complex, Reading

Kidz in the Middle - 10th March 2011 - Ricoh Arena, Coventry. For visitors’ FREE entry tickets or further information on any of our Kidz events call the organiser Disabled Living, Manchester.

0161 214 5959/5962

Email: info@disabledliving.co.uk For updates visit: www.kidzupnorth.co.uk

Kidz is a Trademark registered to Disabled Living, Manchester

Contact: Disabled Living, Redbank House, 4 St Chad’s Street, Cheetham, Manchester M8 8QA Registered Charity 224742

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Books, websites and other useful informationYou and Your Disabled Child - a practical guide for parents(£14.95 + P&P)Margaret Barrett has many years of experiencecaring for and being inspired by disabled children andtheir families and writes from a caring but practicalperspective. Her recommendations for promotingaspects of development can be applied universally.Similar to Jo Frost of the popular ‘Supernanny’television series, Margaret provides good advicewhich is likely to assist any young family starting onthe journey of parenting a child with additional needs.This book would also be a useful tool and referenceguide for the training of professional carers. For more information call 0845 4581124 or visit theFledglings website: www.fledglings.org.uk

Dry Chin Hand Mitt - Available from Fledglings - £5.00 + P&PThis absorbant towelling mitten is available throughthe Fledglings Website. It enables children and youngpeople to wipe away dribble from their chin. For moreinformation call 0845 4581124 or visit the Fledglingswebsite: www.fledglings.org.uk

Developing independent toileting skillsScope offer parents and carers of children withcerebral palsy a basic introduction to some of theissues that may need to be considered when startingto move from nappies to using a potty and the toilet.Some children, particularly those with severe ormultiple impairments, may never achieve fullindependence, yet mastering some aspects oftoileting may lead to much improved levels ofpersonal dignity and self-esteem. For moreinformation please visit the Scope website:www.scope.org.uk

BenefitsThere are a number of benefits and tax credits thatyou may be entitled to. Some benefits can be paidbecause your child is disabled while others may bepaid to you for other reasons. For example, you maybe getting Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for yourchild and Carer's Allowance as their carer. You may

also be able to claim Income Support and / or Child TaxCredit depending on your income. Contact A Familyhave a one stop shop for checking what benefits youare entitled to you can Freephone Contact A Family on0808 8083555 or visit their Cash Counts web page:www.cafamily.org.uk/cashcounts

How does it feel to be a Father? Contact A Family have produced a Fathers Guide thatyou may wish to read. You can request a copy byFreephone on 0808 808 3555 or download a copy byusing the following link: www.cafamily.org.uk/families/familyissues/dads/index.html

Rett UK Family Weekend November 2010Rett UK is a national charity working to make adifference for people living with Rett syndrome. Theyare holding a family weekend From Friday 19thNovember – Sunday 21st. For more informationplease contact them on 01582 798 910 or by Email:info@rettuk.org Alternatively you can visit theirwebsite: www.rettuk.org

Becoming an Adult - Transition foryoung men with Duchenne musculardystrophyThis report summarises a study into transition toadulthood for young men with Duchenne-conductedby David Abbott and Professor John Carpenter at theUniversity of Bristol.To order a free copy you can call the MuscularDystrophy Information Line on 0800 652 6352 orEmail info@muscular-dystrophy.org

LookLook is a national organisation that providesinformation on education, ophthalmology, localcontacts, leisure and training opportunities forchildren and young people with visual impairments.For more information please contact them on 0121428 5038 or by Email: jane@look-uk.org orsteve@look-uk.org Alternatively, you can visit thefollowing website: www.look-uk.org/

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The National AutisticSociety (NAS) inpartnership withExchangeChambers Barristers from ExchangeChambers will work with theNational Autistic Society’sAdvocacy for Education service toprovide free legal representationfor parents who wish to challengedecisions made by their localauthority. These decisions may beabout their child's educationalneeds or provision at the SpecialEducational Needs and DisabilityTribunal (SENDIST).To contact the Advocacy forEducation service, call 0845 0704002 or visitwww.autism.org.uk/advocacy

This is a framework to assesschildren and young people whomay have unmet needs. Followingassessment, a practitioner isbetter able to provide supportwithin their own organisation androle or signpost to other agenciesthat can provide support for theparticular needs that have beenidentified.If a number of agencies arerequired in order to meet theneeds of the child or youngperson, a co-ordinated responsewill be required. In these

Contact a Family, the leading UKcharity supporting families withdisabled children is celebratingits 30th anniversary. As part ofthe birthday celebrations the BigDay Out will encourage familieswith disabled children to get outand about and enjoy play andleisure together throughout themonth of August.There is a toolkit that includeshints and tips to organise a BigDay Out Picnic –includinggames ideas for children andadults to enjoy, delicious recipeideas and suggestions for

covering your costs.Don’t forget to take a picture ofyour Big Day Out Picnic andsend it to Contact a Family forinclusion in their parentmagazine, Connected. Please Email:lliibbrraarryy..tteeaamm@@ccaaffaammiillyy..oorrgg..uukkIf you would like to share theseimages with other people inSefton, please email them toddccrr@@ccss..sseeffttoonn..ggoovv..uukk and wemay include them in the Octoberissue of Aiming High forDisabled Children.

Big Day Out Picnic Toolkit

circumstances, a Lead Practitioneris appointed. The LeadPractitioner can be any personinvolved with the child / youngperson; a teacher, nursery staff, avolunteer or parent. The child /young person and parent / carercan help to decide who is bestplaced to undertake this role. The contact for Sefton’s CAF isCoordinator Jane Billows, who canbe contacted on 0151 934 3685 orby Email:jane.billows@cs.sefton.gov.uk

TV LicenceConcession forBlind PeopleIf you or someone you live with isregistered blind or severely sightimpaired, you can get 50% off thecost of your TV licence. Thismeans a colour TV licence willcost £71.25, and a black and whiteTV licence will cost £24.00.If the person who is registeredblind is not the current licenceholder for your address, you willneed to transfer the licence intotheir name. You can do this bycontacting TV Licensing on 0844 800 6737

Overhaul of BlueBadge SchemeAn overhaul of the Blue Badgescheme has been announced by theDepartment for Transport (DfT). TheBlue Badge scheme provides a range

of parking concessions for peoplewith severe mobility problemswho have difficulty using publictransport.Consultation is currently takingplace and closes on 2nd July2010. Contact a Family will beresponding to this consultation, so

if you have any views or experiences to contribute.Contact a Family will be responding to this consultation, so if you have any views or experiences to contribute, call 020 7608 8742 or Email: una.summerson@cafamily.org.uk

CAF (Common Assessment Framework)

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Sue Neal –Parent Carer AdvocateManager, SeftonResource CentreSue manages the ParentCarer team andcoordinates the ParentsForum, which is calledParents and Carers Team

Sefton (P.A.C.T.S). The forum offers achance for families to feedback about services andhelp shape future provisions. Help is available forchildcare and travel expenses if parents want toattend a forum meeting. If you would like to find outmore please contact Sue on 0151 934 6065 or byEmail: susan.neal@carers.sefton.gov.uk

Ana Spinolaand MariaWilson –Parent Carer AdvocatesThe advocates supportfamilies by providingadvice, information,signposting and liaising withother professionals andagencies.

Kate Hurn – Parent CarerDevelopment OfficerKate’s role is to worktowards developing theservices in the children’scentres for families ofchildren with additionalneeds.

Sam Nellist –Assessment andMonitoring OfficerSam’s role involves doinginitial assessments withparent carers, providinginformation and advice andmonitoring the referralsthat come in.

Claire Lee – Parent Carer EmploymentOfficerClaire will be working to helpcarers who want to get intoor back to work. She willalso assist in the running ofthe Parents Forum. Clairecan be contacted on 0151282 5477 and will be based atSTEPS (Sefton Training and Enterprise Projects),The Esplanade, Waterloo. L22 5RN.

Sheila McCoy –Parent Carer EmploymentOfficer (Southport)Sheila joins us in early Juneand will be doing a similarrole to Claire’s but in theSouthport area.

Mandy Case – Administration OfficerMandy helps out with arange of administrativetasks to contribute to theeffective running of the team.

The Parent Carer Team

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Hospital TravelCosts SchemeYou may be able to get financial help from the Hospital Travel CostsScheme if you're on a low income, need NHS treatment at a hospital,other NHS centre or private clinic and have been referred by an NHShospital consultant.You're automatically entitled to claim Hospital Travel Costs Scheme ifyou (or those you depend on) get at least one of the following:• Income Support • Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance • Guaranteed Pension Credit Fore more information please visit www.direct.gov.uk, go to ‘Browse bypeople’, then click on ‘Disabled People’ then ‘Help and Support’.

From 1 May 2010 the IndependentLiving Fund (ILF) will only acceptapplications from people in paidemployment of at least 16 hoursper week. Eligibility - who can apply?To qualify for ILF, you must: • Get at least £340 worth ofsupport a week or £17,680 ayear from social services. Thissupport could be something likegoing to a day-centre or gettingmoney from a direct paymentscheme.

• Get the higher rate carecomponent of Disability LivingAllowance (DLA).

• Be at least 16 and under 65.

Hydropool session atSouthport HospitalTanya, a mum in Sefton organisesa swimming session for parentsand children in the warm therapypool at Southport Hospital. She islooking for more parents andchildren to attend the sessions,which take place every Saturdayfrom 12.30pm – 2.30pm and cost£2.50 per session.

Looking for a range of swimwear for children withbowel and bladder problems? Try these web pages:http://www.ericshop.org.uk/swimwear.asphttp://www.ukshopability.co.uk/hiline/acatalog/http://www.incywincy.net/http://www.livingmadeeasy.org.uk/children

You must apply before your 65thbirthday. The funding cancontinue after your 65th birthdayas long as you still meet all theother conditions.

• Be living in the United Kingdom(UK).

• Have less than £23,000 insavings / capital (this includesany money your partner has).

• Normally be in paid employmentor self-employed for at least 16hours per week.

For more details, please contactthe ILF on 0845 601 8815 / 0115 945 0700 or by Email:funds@ilf.org.ukAlternatively you can visit the ILFwebsite www.ilf.org.uk

Independent Living Fund

Who can getCarer'sAllowance?It does not matter if you (thecarer) are related to the ill ordisabled person, or whether youlive in the same household.However:You must be aged over 16.You must be spending at least35 hours a week looking afterthe ill or disabled person. Youdo not need to care for theperson every day - just for 35hours or more per week. You cannot earn over a certainamount from other work (afterallowable expenses anddeductions such as income tax).This amount at April 2010 is£100. However, to be eligible forCarer's Allowance your savingsare not taken into account and itdoes not depend on whetheryou have paid any NationalInsurance contributions. You cannot get Carer'sAllowance if you are on acourse of full-time education.This means 21 hours a week ormore of supervised study.For more information, pleasevisit www.direct.gov.uk

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AukidsAuKids is an upbeat parentingmagazine designed for carers ofyoung children on the autisticspectrum. To subscribe to AuKidsor read a sample copy of themagazine, look up

Disabled Children’s Information & Database(0-18 years)

Please complete the following information and return it to the addressbelow (left) and the Database Coordinator will contact you.

Child’s Name:

Date of Birth:

Parent/Carer Name:

Relationship to child:

Family Address:

Telephone:

Primary diagnosis:

Signature:

Date:

Referral Form

Database Coordinator

Christine Bates

Database Administrator

Glenda Foley

Sefton’s DisabledChildren’sInformation andDatabaseThe Good Shepherd Site

Sterrix Lane, Litherland. L21 0DA.

Tel: 0151 934 3853

Email: dcr@cs.sefton.gov.uk

hhttttpp::////wwwwww..sseeffttoonn..ggoovv..uukk//ddccrr

VolunteeringIf you are a student seeking paidor voluntary work experience,please contact Catherine Blevin at Sefton Resource Centre on 0151 330 5860 or Richard Potts at Positive Futureson 0151 285 5449

Are you moving? Don’t forget to let us know your newaddress for you to continue to receive the newsletter.

www.aukids.co.uk

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Event Date 29th June 2010 at The WillowSuite, West Lancashire InvestmentCentre, White Moss BusinessPark, Skelmersdale. WN8 9TG.9.30am – 2.45pmDetails The help! family supportprogramme provides information,support and advice for parents /carers, family members andpeople with an autistic spectrumdisorder (ASD). This particularone-day programme is free and isfor parents / carers whose child isbetween 3 and 12 years old andhas had a recent diagnosis (withinlast 18 months) of ASD. Theprogramme sessions cover: Anoverview of ASDs; Education andyour rights; Communicationstrategies; Services and yourrights; Benefits and your rights. Asandwich lunch is provided for day

Training Opportunitieshelp! North West

sessions with tea and coffeeserved during the day at no cost toparents. Two members per familymay attend (or one family memberand a friend). Places will beallocated on a first come, firstserved basis. The event is free and for moredetails or to book on the courseplease contact: Help! Programme Administrator on0161 946 1193Event Date 12th July 2010, 14th July 2010,19th July 2010 at Hough VillageHall, Cobbs Lane, Hough, Crewe.CW2 5JN 9.30am - 2.30pmDetails This programme, which runs for 3sessions starting on the 12th July,is for parents / carers of childrenaged between 5 and 11 years andwho have received a diagnosis of

an ASD within the last 18 months.The programme sessions cover:What are autism spectrumdisorders? – a brief overview; Toptips for communication andinteraction; Practical strategies foreducation and educational rights /law; Accessing support services;Approaching behaviour difficulties.Coffee, tea and biscuits will beprovided free of charge. Youshould take your own packedlunch. Two members per familymay attend (or one family memberand a friend). Places will beallocated on a first come, firstserved basis. The programme is free and formore details or to book on thecourse please contact:Help! Programme Administrator,on 0161 946 1193

Sefton Voices NotedSefton Voices are a children and young people’s participation service,part of Sefton CVS. Their work promotes the widening involvement of all children and young people in decision making.

Sefton Voices are proud to announce their new creative participationproject, ‘Noted’. This project will benefit voluntary, community and faithprojects that work with children and young people, in particular thosewith disabilities, not in education employment or training, or affected byeconomic deprivation.

Sefton Voices are also looking for enthusiastic young people thatrepresent their target groups to become part of the Noted managementcommittee. The group will meet on a regular basis to support Noted staff to evaluate and plan the future of the project.

For more information, or to get involved in any way please contactCaroline Scott, Arts Participation Officer, Sefton Voices on 0151 285 4058 or by Email: caroline.scott@seftoncvs.org.uk

The Safe Play Centre is and insteadof If you contact them direct they willsend you, you can write You cancontact them direct on 01772 793 681or by Email: enquiries@spcllp.co.ukand they will send you informationabout the services they offer.

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In the past few weeks I have beenhaving lots of fun with my friends atAintree Youth Club. We are doing aproject on cookery and how to livemore independently. At the start ofthe project we sat down withJenny, Karen and Ste to plan outwho we could buddy up with andwhat meal we would like to cook. Ichose my best friend Lydia to cookwith and we both decided that we’dlike to cook chicken curry. As partof the planning we had to make ashopping list of what we wouldneed and also draw a poster of thefood that we were going to cook sothat the other members knew whatthey would be eating for their teaeach week.

When I made up my shopping list itwas hard to remember the thingsthat I would need but after a whilethinking I remembered all of thethings and a few little extras. Jennypointed out that people eating mycurry probably would not enjoyeating snails and spider in their curryand the fact that we probablycouldn’t buy them in a supermarketmade it a bit hard too.

HOTHOTHOT!Curry goes down well!

The day came for meto put on my apronand chef’s hat and getcooking. We washedour hands and cleaneddown the kitchen worktops and began the longtask of chopping all ofthe veg and chicken, thistook a lot longer than Iexpected it to and myhands ached after awhile. I was then verycareful in frying the chickenand acted very sensibly aroundthe cooker as it was hot. Onceall of the rice and curry wascooked we called everyone tothe table and we all had our teatogether. Everyone reallyenjoyed my chicken curry andsome even went back formore.

Some of my friends whoNEVER eat curry ate it all upwhich made me very happyand I was very proud that theyhad eaten my food. All that wasleft to do was the hugepile of washing up....

After admiring my handiwork it'stime for the boring bit - cleaning up!

Come Dine with Martin

Ability CountsThe SeftonPositiveFutures teamcelebrate theirsuccess atAbility Counts

The Positive Futures “AbilityCounts” Football Academyrecently competed in a DisabilityFootball League ran by LiverpoolCounty FA at Greenbank Academyin Aigburth. The league ran over a4 week period with some stiffcompetition, including bothEverton FC and Liverpool FC. The

league will start up again in July.The players performed extremelywell and organisers spoke veryhighly of their football skills andthe way in which they conductedthemselves. Overall SeftonPositive Futures finished second;an excellent achievement. If you would like to find out more

about the Ability Counts Academyplease contact the PositiveFutures team on 0151 285 5444.You can also access informationabout Sefton Positive Futures onFacebook by simply typing in thewords Sefton Positive Futures.

Tuck in!

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You Decide!

Out of the following capital project proposals please rate your top 3 choices:

1) Southport Cultural Centre2) Play Area Improvements3) Formby Pinewoods Sensory Nature Trail4) Crosby Youth CentrePlease return this slip by 15 July to: Caroline Bates / Sophie Thomson, AHDC Short Breaks Team, C/O Positive Futures Office, Netherton Arts Centre, Glovers Lane, Netherton. L30 3TL.Or email your choices to shortbreaks@cs.sefton.gov.uk

The facility will also include four accessible toilet facilitiesand a changing room with showers and an adult sizechanging bed, which will be available for families shoppingin Southport regardless of whether they are using thefacility.2) Play Area Improvements Additional funding from AHDC would be used to develop 3different play sites, which will cater for those with specialphysical needs, in different parts of the Sefton. One wouldbe part of the new play area in Crosby Coastal Park (tyingin with Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre), and otherswould be incorporated into 2 existing play areas, one in thenorth and one in the south of the borough. This wouldenable disabled children throughout the borough to haveaccess to special play facilities, which are integrated intowider play areas. 3) Formby Pinewoods Sensory Nature TrailWe would like to build an accessible nature trail in Formbypinewoods. The trail will include a series of wheel chairaccessible boardwalks and natural interactive equipmentdesigned to provide a stimulating environment for childrenand young people with disabilities. 4) Crosby Youth Centre Sefton Youth Service are in the process of making majoradaptations to Crosby Youth Centre to enable all youngpeople (aged 11 - 25) to engage in social / educationalactivities and projects and gain accreditation from doing soin a quality, safe environment.This development will also enable the centre to focus onquality delivery for disabled young people so they have thesame opportunities as any other young person.

As part of the Aiming High for Disabled Children (AHDC)Transforming Short Breaks programme, Sefton has beengiven £558,700 for Capital Developments, so far Seftonhas invested Aiming High capital resources into muchbigger existing developments therefore ensuring a muchgreater return on our investment. These are:Netherton Activity CentreSefton Council has committed £5.2 million to enable theconstruction of an inclusive community leisure and shortbreaks facility. The Netherton Activity Centre will provide afully inclusive centre where families with disabled childrencan visit and participate in a host of activities individually oras a family. Crosby Lakeside Adventure CentreSefton Council and its partners have provided £10 millionto enable the regeneration of the disused Marina at CrosbyCoastal Park. The outcome of this investment has led tothe introduction of an inclusive residential water sports andadventure activity centre, including educational provisionfor disabled children and young people.Remaining Resources A number of similar developments exist, which with furtherinvestment can have a wider reaching impact. We nowneed you to tell us what you would like the remainder (£78,700) of this money to be spent on:1) Southport Cultural Centre In May 2010 work commences on Southport CulturalCentre. AHDC capital resources would enable theintroduction of a 4 Dimension Sensory LearningEnvironment.

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people on an individual basis. Everybody had a chance toparticipate and had an amazingtime doing so!.For more information, pleasecontact Catherine Blevin, FamilySupport Worker, Sefton ResourceCentre on 0151 330 5861 or byEmail:catherine.blevin@cs.sefton.gov.uk

DiscoTime!

With the help of Hannah Brookeand Katie Kavanagh who attendOrrell Mount Youth Club, PositiveFutures held an UnderwaterThemed party for 16 – 24 yearolds. The evening started with non-alcoholic cocktails and included alive performance from a local band,DJ and buffet. Positive Futures alsoprovide transport with pick up /drop off points across the borough.

Young people let their hair down atthe Underwater theme disco

Know Your City!

As part of the Easter Half-Termactivities, Positive Futures took agroup of young people aged 11yrsand over into Liverpool for a day ofsightseeing. The day was alsodesigned to help young peopledevelop independent living skills.Young people bought their owntrain tickets for the journey in and

The Superlambanana makes some new friends outsidethe famous Liver Building!

Excitement andAdventure atWinmarleigh HallAs part of the money obtainedthrough Aiming High for DisabledChildren, Sefton Resource Centre,which provides care and supportto children and young people withmoderate - severe disabilities and/ or complex health needs, took agroup of 9 young people on athree day break to WinmarleighHall in Lancashire. For some ofthe young people this was theirfirst time away from their familiesand familiar surroundings.Within the 3 day stay youngpeople took part in a number ofoutdoor activities, canoeing,archery, quad biking, big swing,low ropes, wall climbing and adisco too. The activitiesencouraged working as a teamand also challenging the young

This adventure gets a big thumbsup from Sefton's young people!

The night was an opportunity foryoung people to come together andsocialise in a safe and supportiveenvironment. The evening was verywell received and Hannah andKatie are busy planning the nextevent. Keep your eyes peeled fordetails by checking outwww.moveitsefton.co.uk/positivefutures or sign up for electronicupdates by sending your details byEmail:pfinclusion@leisure.sefton.gov.uk You can also access informationabout Sefton Positive Futures onFacebook by simply typing in thewords Sefton Positive Futures.

then enjoyed a jam-packed dayincluding a trip on the MerseyFerry, a tour of the Radio CityTower and then the group still hadenough energy to climb to the topof the Anglican Cathedral – phew!There will be more trips like thisover the Summer Holidays pleasekeep an eye out for the Summer

Holiday brochure or sign up for ourelectronic updates by sending yourdetails by Email:pfinclusion@leisure.sefton.gov.uk You can also access informationabout Sefton Positive Futures onFacebook by simply typing in thewords Sefton Positive Futures.

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New Developments

New Youth Club for Young People with Disabilities

With summer here, the teams at Sefton ResourceCentre and Positive Futures have been busy makingplans for this year’s summer activities. Each teamprovides similar activities for children and youngpeople with disabilities throughout Sefton, offeringnew experiences and a summer of FUN.In order for both teams to be able to support 300+young people, a staff recruitment drive recently tookplace. Adverts were placed looking for experiencedstaff who could dedicate their summer and inspire funto our children and existing staff.

After a long process 36 new staff have been recruitedto join both teams and help to provide a fantasticsummer for disabled children and young people inSefton. The staff will work across both services, which willenable the teams to extend services and offer moreyoung people places this summer. For more information, please contact CatherineBlevin, Family Support Worker, Sefton ResourceCentre on 0151 330 5861 or by Email:catherine.blevin@cs.sefton.gov.uk

Summer Play Scheme 2010

Positive FuturesPositive Futures is a national social inclusionprogramme for children and young people. It giveschildren and young people, who often miss out onactivities the opportunity to get involved in sport andother leisure activities like going to the youth centre,swimming or rock climbing.In Sefton the programme also targets disabledchildren and young people with mild to moderatedisabilities including learning disabilities ordifficulties, ADHD, Aspergers, autism and includesthem in fun leisure activities. These programmesenable children and young people to:• Meet new people and build relationships • Try new sports and activities • Get healthy

• Become more confident • Get skills that will help them develop into adulthood If you are a parent / carer and would like moreinformation or would like to get in touch with amember of Positive Futures for advice, please call0151 285 5444 or go towww.moveitsefton.co.uk/positivefutures. The website also has details of all Positive Futuresprogrammes including Plaza and Splashworld nights.If you would like to receive electronic updates onPositive Futures activities please emailpfinclusion@leisure.sefton.gov.uk.You can also access information about SeftonPositive Futures on Facebook by simply typing inthe words Sefton Positive Futures.

If your son or daughter is currently accessing the Resource Centre clubs please keep yourself updated on their programmes and new clubs by calling 0151 330 5860 or by asking staff when you drop your child off.

Positive Futures have recently developed a SaturdayMorning club at Netherton Activity Centre for 5 - 11year olds, open from 10am - 12pm. This club is for bothdisabled children and their siblings, activities includegames, sports, arts and crafts. Some parents havetaken advantage of this club’s location and have been

using the gym whilst their children are in the club.For more information, please contact Caroline Bates,Development Manager, Positive Futures (DisabledChildren and Young People) on 0151 285 5445 or byEmail: caroline.bates@leisure.sefton.gov.uk

Positive Futures, in partnership with Sefton YouthService are developing a second young adultssocial / youth club for 16-24 year olds. The sessionwill run every Thursday evening, 6:30pm - 9pm atQueens Drive Neighbourhood Centre, Bootle. The

club will provide young peoplewith the opportunity to makenew friends, socialise, improve confidence, self-esteem and develop life skills and job skills.

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Parent / Carer contact details

Name:

Child’s Name:

Address:

If your child attends school / nursery please give details below

Telephone:

Email:

What’s the best way to contact you?

Telephone Email Post

Please return to Susan Neal, Sefton Carers Centre, 27-37 South Road, Waterloo, Liverpool. L22 5RF. 0151 288 6060 Email: susan.neal@carers.sefton.gov.uk

Buddy Up is a mentoring projectthat will make “places to go, thingsto do” in Sefton more accessible toyoung disabled people aged 13 to16 who attend Crosby High orPresfield High. The project isfunded for one year in the firstinstance, as part the Aiming Highfor Disabled Children TransitionSupport Program.The project will recruit, train andsupport young mentors aged 13 to16 to enable them to support otheryoung people, to develop theirself-confidence / self-esteem andto assist them to access activitieswithin their neighbourhood. There will be a wide range ofactivities available for youngpeople as well as training

opportunities. Above all the focuswill be on accessing the localcommunity and HAVING FUN!For further information on theproject please contact:Helen McKiernan, Project Development WorkerTel: 01704 501024 ext 242Mob : 07563798790

Fond FarewellAfter nearly 10 years as aTransitions Co-ordinator KathCorbin is retiring at the end ofJune; she will be missed and weall wish her well in her retirement.We want to welcome LouiseMurray and Jane Backland to theTransitions Co-ordinators Team,

BUDDY UP both Louise and Jane have beenwith the team since March.For more information, support orguidance about transitionalservices for young people withlearning disabilities you cancontact:Jane Backland on 0151 934 3845or by Email:jane.backland@cs.sefton.gov.ukLouise Murray on 0151 934 3830or by Email:louise.murray@cs.sefton.gov.ukSophie Thomson on 0151 934 3830 or by Email:sophie.thomson@cs.sefton.gov.uk

APPLICATION TO JOIN PARENT’S FORUM

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What is the Parent’s Forum?The Parent’s Forum is a groupwhere parents meet to discussissues that affect Sefton’s disabledchildren and young people withadditional needs. The Parent’s Forum ensures yourviews and concerns are heard andtaken seriously by those whomanage services for you and yourchild / young person.

Who is the Forum for?If you are a parent or carer of achild or young person aged 0-25years with additional needs orbelong to a group of parents, youcan attend the Parent’s Forummeetings or elect to send one orseveral members along torepresent the views of your group.

What does the Forumoffer parents?• A chance to improve the servicesand support for children andyoung people with learningdifficulties and disabilities inSefton.

• Opportunity to shareexperiences with other parentsof children with additional needs.

• A voice to help ensure childrenwith additional needs are fullyincluded in society and haveaccess to the support andfacilities necessary to sustainand improve their well being.

What the forum won’t do:It is unable to tackle specificissues that parents and carers

have about their own child.It is not able to operate as anindividual advisory or supportservice – but can signpost you tosomeone that can help.If you would be interested injoining you can either complete theregistration form on Page 13 orcontact Sue Neal on 0151 2886060 or by Email:susan.neal@carers.sefton.gov.uk You will then receive anyinformation about meeting datesand times and minutes from theforum meetings. For furtherinformation on the group, pleasecontact them by Email:p.a.c.t.s.sefton@googlemail.com

10am-1pm inc lunch:Wednesday 23rd June 2010 & Thursday 9th September 2010

Netherton Park Community Centre, Chester Avenue, Netherton. L30 1QW.Thursday 15th July 2010 & Wednesday 6th October 2010Parenting 2000, Mornington Road, Southport. PR9 0TS.

Need a lift?Need help with childcare?

Any dietary needs?

Sefton Parents Forum

Registered Number 3124430 Registered Charity Number 1050808

For more information please contactSue Neal on 0151 288 6060

or by Email: susan.neal@carers.sefton.gov.uk or p.a.c.t.s.sefton@googlemail.com

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I’m Chris Kavanagh, I’m 43 yearsold and a full time mum to 4children. My youngest, 5 year oldJake has autism. He wasdiagnosed when he was 3 and hasmotivated me to learn all I canabout ASDs through severalcourses, which I will be attendingmore of in the autumn.

During the first course they gaveus a poem to read called"Welcome To Holland”, which isabout a parent’s experience offinding out their child has Autismand how the child is different fromothers. The poem is about goingon an ideal holiday in Italy, butinstead going to Holland with theirnegative perception of it, yetfinding out how special it is. Itrefers to the brilliant people theymeet, which reflects myexperience attending courses,forums and undergoing the ParentRepresentative training - takinginspiration from support andshared experiences. The parentsand carers want to make changesfor all disabled children and I hopeas a Parent Rep of P.A.C.T.S to dothe same.

Meet theP.A.C.T.S Team Leaders

My name is Julie Mangan and Ihave agreed to be Secretary forP.A.C.T.S for South Sefton. I ammarried to Graham who is aPoliceman and am a mum to 3boys Daniel 13, Matthew 7 andAlexander 5. In my spare time Iwork as a Respiratory NursePractitioner in the three hospitalswithin Merseyside.

Alexander has been diagnosedwith an autistic spectrum disorder(ASD). Our family pet Charlie is agolden retriever who has helpedAlexander in lots of ways. Life ishectic and whilst Alexander'sdiagnosis has brought manychallenges I have also met somelovely people along the way.

My name is Jayne Jones, I wasrecently elected Co-chair ofP.A.C.T.S Forum. I have 3 sonsaged 17, 10, and 4. My 10 year-old son has attention deficithyperactivity disorder (ADHD) andmy 4 year old son has autism,learning difficulties and ADHDtraits.

I am currently a Parent Rep for theP.A.C.T.S. Forum on severalstrategic groups within Children,Schools and Families. I havecompleted a training course aimedat giving parent reps the tools toattend meetings with confidenceand to deliver impartialrepresentation.

I am enjoying the opportunity to beinvolved in shaping services fordisabled children within Sefton. Iam totally dedicated to my roles asboth Co-chair and Parent Rep andhope to make a difference for ourchildren.

NEXT ISSUE� What have we done so far� Parents Training� How do you become a parent

representative� Role of parent representatives

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DCATCH and the Parent CarerEmployment Officers

The Sefton Carers Centre now employs twoEmployment Officers based in both the north andsouth of the borough, specifically to support parentcarers who would like to find employment (paid orunpaid), education or training.They can help you by:

• Offering support and advice• Job searching• Helping you to write your CV• Teaching interview techniques• Looking at what training is on offer

• Finding suitable childcare• Informing you of your rightsThe team have arranged drop-in sessions which youare invited to attend to find out more about what’s onoffer.If you can’t make one of these dates, or would find itdifficult to get to one of the centres, call Claire Lee on0151 282 5477 and we can arrange a date, time andlocation that is convenient to you. The DCATCH teamlooks forward to seeing you.

ARE YOU MOVING?Don't forget to let us know your new address for you to continue to receive Aiming High for Disabled Children

Please contact Christine Bates, Database Coordinator, Sefton's Disabled Children's Information and Database on 0151 934 3853 or by Email: dcr@cs.sefton.gov.uk

Date Monday 5 July 2010 Thursday 8 July Friday 9 JulyTime 1pm-3pm 1pm-4pm 10.30am-1pmPlace Hudson Children’s Centre, STEPS, Parenting 2000,

Moorhey Road, Maghull. The Esplanade, The Lodge,L31 5LE. Waterloo. L22 5RF. Mornington Road,

Southport. PR9 OTS.

DCATCH and Sefton Inclusion Resource ServiceDCATCH is working with Sefton InclusionResource Service to ensure childcare settingsand providers have increased access tospecialist toys, games and multi-sensoryequipment. Parents are also very welcome toloan these items.

Please contact Val Curtis at the Resourcecentre on 0151 330 5860, to see the fantastic

range of resources available.

If you think DCATCH could support your familyor you would like to hear more about theproject, inclusive childcare, training orresources, contact Wendy Mann and theDCATCH team on 01704 882038. The DCATCHteam looks forward to seeing you.