The Disability Team is an all age team where we work with children with disabilities from age 0, through transition and on to adulthood. By being an all age team, and having specific support around transition, we ensure that children and their families are fully supported during the move on to adult services as this can be a very difficult and anxious time for the child and family. Although we are an all age team, there is specific support for children with disabilities.
For children with disabilities, our aim is to support children live with their families and enjoy the same opportunities and expectations as other children. We work in partnership with children and families to achieve their personal outcomes which improves their wellbeing.
Our team also has transition workers to ensure that children experience a positive experience as they move on to adult services.
An Occupational Therapist is also part of the team and she undertakes assessments in respect of children with disabilities who may require specialist equipment or adaptations to the family home. The Occupational Therapist can also support children with disabilities with sensory difficulties by completing sensory assessments and providing support and advice following this.
The Team works to the principles and requirements of the legislation regarding children and disabled people.
Finding out what support you need? (Assessment of Need)
Before we can offer you help, we need to find out exactly what kind of support you need. We do this through the assessment process.
Children and young people with disabilities have a legal right to have their needs assessed (and the needs of their carers) on request. To help get the clearest picture of your child’s needs we may need to consult with Health, Education and any voluntary agencies involved.
Once our assessment confirms that your child meets the criteria for the team and highlights to us what support services you need, we will start putting them in place.
Services we may be able to offer (subject to eligibility) include:
- Keyworker, and linking in with other services such as health and education.
- Regular care and support meetings to ensure the current plan is meeting your family outcomes.
- Support with transition.
- Short break (respite) facilities including support in the community.
- Support from the Barnardo’s Achieving Change Together Service.
- Aids and adaptations.
- Carers assessments.
- Referral to young carers.
- Working with universal services such as Sparkle and Families First.
- Receiving information from the Disability Index.
- Advice around registered charities.
- Home care support
More information about the services
Short breaks – family link: This service can provide regular short breaks including overnight stays by linking the child with a disability to another family. The service offers breaks for parents and new experiences for the child. Link families undergo a rigorous assessment and receive payment and ongoing support.
Community Support: The Disability Team work closely with Barnardo’s Achieving Change Together Team. This team can offer tailored parenting support/ advice specific to the family’s needs on a one to one basis. This service also runs groups where children with disabilities can attend and build upon their social skills, as well as building upon their independence.
Home Care: Home Care is offered to provide practical support in the child’s home.
Supporting Young People with their Transition to Adulthood
In conjunction with other professionals, the Disability Team can ensure that young people with disabilities are supported towards their transition to adulthood. For example, a range of professionals involved with supporting the young person with disabilities (including Adult Services Social Services) will work with the young person, from their 14th birthday, and their family to assess and plan support. This will ensure the necessary support is in place for the young person for when they reach their 18th birthday.
Disability Index
The Children Act 1989 requires each Local Authority to collect information about children and young people with additional needs or a disability. The Index brings together the registers held by Education and Social Services to plan for the future for children with any disability and/or life-altering health condition.
The Index is a confidential, secure computer database which holds all the necessary information, about children and young people aged 0-19 with any disability and/or life-altering health condition. To help with the work in Blaenau Gwent, Education and Social Services have joined together to consolidate all information held on children, young people and their disabilities.
The Index will enable us jointly to:
- Collect and supply information for planning for future years and the immediate future – from Schools and Transport to Holiday Schemes and Respite Care. This makes sure children and their families are included in planning services.
- Ensure that children and their families know what is going on in Blaenau Gwent and how to read and obtain services.
How do I get support from the Children with Disabilities Team?
If you have a child with disabilities and wish to make use of any of these services, you will first need to have your child’s needs assessed by a social worker.
Related Documents
Contact Information
For information, advice or assistance, to make a referral or report concerns in relation to:
- person aged 18 or over, please contact the Adult Services IAA Hub.
- a child or young person, please contact the Children’s Services IAA Hub.
Telephone: 01495 315700
Email : duty.team@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk
Fax: 01495 353350
For general information enquiries:
Email : info@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk
Headquarters:
Social Services Directorate
Anvil Court
Church Street
Abertillery
NP13 1DB
Telephone: 01495 354680
Fax: 01495 355285