Improving Services for Disabled Children & Young People

There is nothing that cannot be done if we raise our voice as one!
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 WHAT IS THE LOCAL OFFER?

 

In line with the Government's aims to transform Short Break services under the Aiming High for Disabled Children Programme, local authorities have been allocated additional funding to develop a wider range of short break provision, which are tailored to better meet the needs of all disabled children, young people (0-18yrs) and their families. 

 

Furthermore, additional short breaks should be made available to those children and young people who require a specific level of support, ie. which is over and above that provided at regular sports or activity clubs, also known as 'universal services'.  Short breaks for these particular children and young people are referred to as 'specific level of targeted short break services'.  In Wiltshire, children and young people for whom these services are designed for, can be easily identified through simple 'access criteria'.

 

This new, combined 'package' of short break services is called the 'Local Offer'

 

Wiltshire was awarded £2.5m to provide MORE short breaks, MORE often to MORE families.  This money has been used to create extra opportunities for ALL disabled children and young people in the catchment area of the local authority AND the introduction of the Local Offer will enable approximately 1,100 children and young people who need a specific level of support, to enjoy a short break too - that's an increase of about 800!  

 

WHEN does the Local Offer come into effect?

The Local Offer and Access Criteria will apply from the 1st May 2010 until the 31st March 2011 and will be subject to on-going review.  At the end of this period, a detailed analysis will be carried out to make sure that the right children and young people have been included, and that the Local Offer is meeting the needs of disabled children, young people and their familes in the best way possible.

 

WHERE can I get MORE INFORMATION on Short Breaks and the Local Offer?

Wiltshire Council has recently published several documents on short break services in Wiltshire*, including the Local Offer so that families are better informed about WHAT is available and HOW to access services.  There is also a parent-friendly  'Question and Answer' guide, which addresses common queries raised by parents.  See below for further information.

 

NOTE * When referring to 'Wiltshire' throughout this website, this means the catchment area of Wiltshire local authority (ie. excluding Swindon).  Families looking for information on Swindon, follow this link CLICK HERE

 

URGENT----DEADLINE FOR LOCAL OFFER APPLICATIONS

 

The deadline for applications is fast approaching and for full eligibilty criteria please click here to view Wiltshire Councils latest documentation.

 

 

 

LOCAL OFFER BOOKLET inc Option Registration Form

This booklet sets out details of WHO can access the 'Local Offer', WHAT short break options are available and HOW to register.  Whatever the age of your child, you can choose the short break option that best meets the needs of your family.  Open this document, print off a hard copy, complete the registration form and return to County Hall, Trowbridge.  Full details inside leaflet.

 

<-- Click on the image to open this document

 

 

 

 

Wiltshire Local Offer and Access Criteria

2010-2011 

This document summarises the various levels of short break services available in Wiltshire for disabled children and young people.  

It also outlines options available under the LOCAL OFFER and ACCESS CRITERIA (that is, which children and young people will be able to use the special level of targeted short break services). 

 

 <- Click on the image to open this document

 

 

 

Question & Answer Guide!  

In response to feedback from parents and carers over the last month or so, this information guide aims to answer the common questions that have been asked and to give clarity to issues that have been raised around Short Break Provision in Wiltshire and the Local Offer.

 

To make it easier to read, questions and answers have been listed under separate headings, so that you can go straight to the section that is of particular interest.  These include:

 

  • Short Break Provision and the Local Offer in Wiltshire 
  • Barnardo's Activity and Holiday Clubs
  • Local Offer Payment
  • Inclusion Support Fund

 

<- Click on the image to open this document

 

If you have any COMMENTS about ANY of the information provided

or have further queries which haven't been raised, please LET US KNOW. 

 

 

 

 

We welcome both positive comments and constructive criticisms.

 

 

WE LOOK FORWARD TO 

HEARING FROM YOU